Players from the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream left the court before the national anthem ahead of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals in San Francisco on Monday, then returned seconds after it ended.
The move repeated what both teams did before Game 1 on Saturday at the Chase Center. Alanis Morissette performed the anthem for Game 2. Video from the arena showed the players exiting the floor shortly before the song began and jogging back out almost immediately after the final notes, according to reporting from OutKick and Fox News.
The WNBA rulebook requires players, coaches, and trainers to stand and line up during the national anthem. Neither the league nor the two teams has publicly explained the absences. OutKick said it requested comment from the WNBA, the Dream, and the Valkyries after Game 1 and again before Game 2, but received no responses. Reporters also raised the issue at pregame and postgame press conferences but were not called on to ask questions.
The repeated absence has drawn criticism from some fans and media members, who described it as disrespectful. Others noted that the teams have not stated a reason for leaving the floor. The Atlanta Dream has a history of player statements related to social issues dating back several years, though no formal statement has been issued about the Finals anthem absences.
Game 2 was the second contest in the series between the expansion Valkyries and the Dream. The championship series continues with the next game scheduled in Atlanta. The league has not announced any disciplinary action related to the anthem.
No official statement has been released by the WNBA regarding the players’ actions in either game.
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