Why WNBA Teams Leave the Court During the National Anthem

Why were the Dream and Valkyries off the court for the anthem?

Before the first two games of the 2026 WNBA Finals, Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries players left the court while the national anthem was performed. They returned after it ended. ¹²

The sources describe what the teams did, but do not give a specific explanation from either team for these Finals games. SFGATE places the practice in a wider WNBA history, saying players have left the court during the anthem since 2020, amid protests over police brutality and racial inequity. ²

What does the WNBA rule say about the anthem?

OutKick reports that the WNBA rulebook contains a provision calling for players to stand and line up during the national anthem. That appears to conflict with the teams being off the court for the first two Finals performances. ¹

The source excerpt does not reproduce the full provision. It therefore does not establish all the circumstances in which it applies, whether exceptions exist, or what consequences may follow when players are not present. Those details should not be assumed from a brief description of the rule.

Has the league said whether the teams broke a rule?

Not in the reporting provided here. OutKick says it asked the NBA about its role, possible discipline and whether the teams would be told to be present for Game 3. The outlet reported that the NBA had not answered; it also said the WNBA and the teams had not responded to its questions about the absences. ¹

That means the available sources do not establish whether the league considered the conduct a rule violation, whether it planned any response, or whether the teams received instructions. A report that a rule exists is not the same as a published league decision about how it applies.

Why has the anthem practice drawn attention?

The practice has become part of a broader public argument about athletes, protest and national symbols. SFGATE describes criticism from conservative media after the Finals teams left the court, including a New York Post editorial calling on the league to stop the practice. ²

The same report says this has continued as a WNBA practice since 2020. That context helps explain why the incident was familiar to some observers but still attracted renewed attention during the Finals. It does not, by itself, explain the decisions of these two teams in these particular games. ²

What should viewers understand about what is known?

The clearest account is that the Dream and Valkyries were not on the court for the anthems before Games 1 and 2, and returned afterward. A reported rule calls for players to line up, but the sources supplied here do not include the complete rule or a formal league interpretation. ¹²

For viewers, the distinction matters: the teams’ actions are reported, while the league’s position and any consequences were not confirmed in the available coverage. Those questions may change if the WNBA or NBA issues a statement, so check official league communications for an update.