Dream and Valkyries skip national anthem again in WNBA Finals Game 2 despite rulebook requirement
The Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries once again left the court just before the national anthem at the WNBA Finals, this time on the night of Game 2. The teams departed less than a minute before the anthem began and returned within seconds of the final note, mirroring the same action that occurred at the opening game of the series on Saturday.
The incident took place in San Francisco, where the finals are being contested at the home arena of the Valkyries. The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook makes clear that “players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.” Yet neither side was on the floor for the anthem in either of the first two games of the championship series.
After the Game 1 incident, reporters from OutKick asked the league why the teams were absent for the anthem and whether they had any plan to comply for Game 2. The league has not replied to any of the requests for comment. In addition, OutKick sent questions to the Dream and Valkyries the afternoon of the opener and followed up with all three parties the next day. The teams did not respond, and the league has provided no clarification.
Both squads had warmed up on the court before leaving early for the anthem. When the performance finished, the players and coaching staffs re‑entered the floor within a matter of seconds, ready to resume play. This pattern was observed in press conferences and by reporters who were present for the pre‑ and post‑game sessions on Saturday and the coaches’ conferences before Game 2. Despite repeatedly raising the question of the anthem during those sessions, the league officials never asked for a comment on the matter.
The WNBA’s silence has raised questions about enforcement of the anthem rule. The organization has not indicated whether it intends to impose any discipline on the teams for what appears to be a breach of its own policy. As the finals move into the third game, the league’s lack of response has left many wondering whether the teams will remain off the court for the anthem in future contests.
For those unfamiliar with the schedule, the Finals pit the Dream, who finished the regular season with the league’s best record, against the Valkyries, who earned a spot in the playoffs through a playoff berth. The series has been a closely contested affair, with each game seeing fierce competition and high stakes. However, the repeated anthem absences have shifted some focus from the on‑court action to the teams’ adherence to league rules and the league’s willingness to enforce them.
In a broader context, the national anthem has been a point of debate in sports across the United States. The WNBA’s rulebook explicitly requires players to stand for the anthem, a requirement mirrored by other professional leagues. In this instance, both finalists have seemingly chosen to disregard that mandate, at least for the first two games of the series.
As the Finals progress, fans and commentators alike will be watching not only for the outcome of the games but also for any resolution—or lack thereof—regarding the teams’ conduct during the national anthem. The league’s next move, whether to address the violations or to continue allowing the teams to remain off the floor, will be closely scrutinized in the coming days.
