Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries leave court during national anthem at WNBA Finals Game 1

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court during the national anthem before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Oct. 17, 2026, at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

The move sparked immediate discussion about national anthem protests in professional women’s basketball, a topic that has resurfaced in recent years. Both teams had been warming up on the floor when the anthem began, then retreated to the locker room for the roughly two‑minute performance and jogged back onto the court as soon as it ended.

The Valkyries secured a 68‑64 victory, taking a 1‑0 series lead. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase praised her players after the game, urging fans to “level up” for the next matchup. “Once I get on there and I start to write my notes on the board, I kind of actually block everything out. I was excited, they were really screaming when they got announced,” Nakase said.

The Dream’s decision echoed a 2020 team statement that the anthem “does not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans.” While neither franchise has confirmed that the October 17 absence was a coordinated protest, the incident revived memories of similar pre‑game actions, including a 2024 LSU women’s basketball team that left the floor during the anthem as part of a routine preparation.

Social media reaction was swift, with some fans labeling the act “disgusting” and others defending it as an expression of social conscience. The episode adds to a broader conversation about the role of political expression in sports, a debate that has intensified across leagues in recent years.

Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, and both teams have remained tight‑lipped about any future pre‑game plans. The league and its players are expected to address the growing scrutiny as the finals continue.