WNBA Finals Anthem Absences Continue as Teams Leave Court
Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries remained off the court for the sixth straight game during the national anthem.
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries continued their routine of leaving the court before the national anthem during Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Area on Thursday. Prior to the performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' by Heiress Harris, the 10-year-old daughter of rapper T.I., both teams stepped off the floor, marking their sixth consecutive absence during the series.
Game 6 tipped off at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate a doubleheader with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Golden State entered the matchup leading the best-of-seven series 3-2 after securing a 64-55 victory in Game 5, maintaining a chance to clinch its first championship.
Outside the arena, fans expressed a variety of opinions regarding the long-standing practice. While some spectators argued that everyone should stand on the court for the anthem, others defended the players' freedom to choose. Renard Hayes, a veteran and the father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes, supported the players' right to decide.
'This is America, by the way, and I've served this country, so they can choose what they want,' Renard Hayes told OutKick. He added that he did not view the absences as a sign of disrespect toward the flag.
Representatives and coaching staff from both teams described the action as part of their established pregame routine rather than a protest. Golden State coach Natalie Nakase noted that the practice has been in place for two years, while Valkyries forward Gabby Williams stated that the team has maintained the routine for approximately seven years. Atlanta coach Karl Smesko declined to explain his team's absences, stating that the focus remained entirely on the Finals.
Dream guard Rhyne Howard defended her commitment to representing the United States internationally when asked about the team's anthem conduct. Howard stated that she consistently stands on the court during the anthem when wearing a USA jersey.
The WNBA's 2026 official rulebook indicates that players, coaches, and trainers should stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or foul lines during the national anthem. However, the Associated Press reported that the league suspended its enforcement of these protocols in 2017. Representatives for the WNBA, the NBA, and both teams have not responded to inquiries regarding current league requirements or disciplinary considerations.