SAN FRANCISCO – The WNBA’s own rules require players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up along the sidelines or at the foul line during the national anthem. Both Finals teams left the field for Saturday’s performance and the league did not respond to OutKick’s questions regarding their absences.
And with Game 2 scheduled for Monday night, neither team has told OutKick if they plan to be on the field for the anthem this time.
GABBY WILLIAMS DELIVERS LATE AS VALKYRIES STOPS ANGEL REESE, DREAM OF WINING WNBA FINALS OPENING
Neither the Atlanta Dream nor the Golden State Valkyries were on the court during the national anthem before Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals. (NBAE via Getty Images)
Both teams warmed up on the field Saturday at Chase Center before leaving just before the national anthem. A few seconds after the performance ended, the players were running back onto the floor.
Getting an explanation for why teams chose not to play for those two minutes or so was incredibly difficult.
OutKick contacted the WNBA, as well as the Dream and Valkyries on Saturday, then followed up with all three on Sunday.
None responded to questions about the anthem before publication.
OutKick also attended all five of Saturday’s pregame and postgame press conferences, but was not called. We planned to ask about the teams’ plans before the game and their absence from the anthem afterward.
WNBA anthem enforcement, Game 2 plans remain unclear
The follow-up questions asked of both teams were simple: Why were their players off the field during the anthem in the first game? Would they be there for Game 2? Has the WNBA communicated any instructions or expectations regarding the anthem since Saturday?
ANGEL REESE’S APPEARANCE IN WNBA FINALS AFTER CHICAGO EXIT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT WINNING MENTALITY
Angel Reese and her Atlanta Dream teammates were not on the court during the national anthem before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. (Getty Images)
The WNBA’s 2026 official rules include an anthem provision covering players, coaches and trainers. They are asked to form a standing line on a sideline or foul line while the anthem plays.
The league did not respond to OutKick’s questions regarding its anthem requirements, whether discipline is planned or considered, or whether it will require either team to be present for Game 2.
We also asked the league to confirm whether both teams will be on the field for Monday’s anthem.
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW – UNFILTERED, WITHOUT EXCELLENCE AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
If Saturday’s absences were simply part of the teams’ pregame routine, both had a chance to explain it. Neither did so in response to OutKick’s inquiries.
But a pregame routine that prevents players from remaining on the field during the national anthem deserves scrutiny.
Hostile Valkyries fans verbally attacked female sports activists during Game 1 of WNBA Finals in San Francisco
The interior of the Chase Center is shown during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries on October 17, 2026, in San Francisco, California. (NBAE via Getty Images)
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center.
It only took a few seconds for the teams to return to the field after the anthem. More than a day after OutKick asked why they left, the teams and the WNBA have yet to respond.
Gn sports
