The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court just before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Tuesday night, stopping the pregame proceedings and heading to the locker room. They returned only after the national anthem had finished.
The league’s own guidelines instruct players, coaches and team staff to line up along the sidelines or foul lines during the anthem, which makes the exit stand out. Fans and pundits have since debated what prompted the teams to leave and come back.
League and teams stay silent after the game
Neither the league nor either team has publicly explained the decision. Follow-up phone calls from media went unanswered, and the teams have not offered a reason for their actions.
Reporters covering the game said neither team addressed the anthem issue during post-game press conferences. The WNBA has also not said how, if at all, it plans to discipline the players or enforce the anthem protocol before Game 2, which is scheduled for next week.
Commentators question how the league is held accountable
Sports commentators say the controversy has wider implications for how professional leagues are managed and held publicly accountable. They point to the league’s published expectations for pregame ceremonies, set against the absence of any public statement.
It remains unclear whether players will stay on the court for the next anthem or whether the league will issue official instructions. With the high-profile series now expected to run three games, attention is likely to stay on the court.
