WNBA Finals Teams Continue National Anthem Absences Throughout Series

The Deciding Game and the Anthem Routine

Saturday’s anthem was performed by San Francisco’s Glide Ensemble. Yet even that performance failed to bring the players out to stand on the court for the two-minute duration of the song.

The league’s first Game 7 arrived after Atlanta secured an 80–69 victory on Thursday to even the series at 3–3. Throughout the matchup, the performers and venues changed, but the absence of the teams remained constant. Alanis Morissette sang before Game 2 at Chase Center, and 10-year-old Heiress Harris, daughter of rapper T.I., performed before Game 6 in Atlanta. Both squads were off the floor for those performances as well, continuing a trend that had drawn intense public scrutiny.

Team Responses at Media Availability

When reporters questioned players and coaches directly at a media availability in Atlanta on Oct. 23, Golden State coach Natalie Nakase insisted the practice was simply part of their pregame preparations. “We’re two years in,” Nakase said. Asked who established the routine and why, she replied, “I really don’t know. I understand your question. I’m not trying to, you know, not answer your question. It’s just part of our pregame.”

ANGEL REESE MADE HISTORY IN GAME 2 🔥She led the @AtlantaDream to their FIRST-EVER Finals win with a monster performance, dropping 30 PTS, 16 REB, 3 AST & 2 BLKS on 10-16 shooting! #WNBASeason30 | #2026WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/YueB9Z7M1j

— https://x.com/WNBA/status/2112382330325098978

When pressed on what she does during those 90 seconds off the court, Nakase said she stays with her staff to focus on plays. Golden State forward Gabby Williams denied that the team’s absence constituted a protest. “No,” Williams said, adding, “That’s been the routine for like, seven years now.” While Golden State is only in its second season, Williams previously played for Chicago and Seattle, though she did not clarify whether those franchises followed the same protocols.

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko offered minimal detail when asked about his team leaving the floor and who made the decision. “We’re just kind of focused on the Finals,” Smesko said, declining further comment on the anthem absences.

Photo: totalnews.com

Player Perspectives and Fan Reactions

Dream guard Rhyne Howard faced questions regarding calls to exclude certain players from Team USA over their anthem conduct throughout the season. Yes, I love the country that I play for and I love what we have here.”

Outside State Farm Arena before Game 6, fans expressed sharply differing views. Renard Hayes, father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes, defended the players while pointing to his own military service. Other attendees voiced a desire to see the players on the floor out of respect for tradition, while supporters argued that the choice belonged entirely to the athletes.

League Rules and Unanswered Inquiries

However, the Associated Press reported on Oct. 20 that the league actually suspended its anthem protocols back in 2017, even though the directive continues to sit inside the printed 2026 rulebook.

Reports directed to the WNBA, the NBA, the Dream, and the Valkyries regarding enforcement, potential discipline, or communication of instructions went unanswered following initial requests made after Game 1 on Oct. 17.