The WNBA Finals opened with a bang on Saturday, but the biggest story wasn't the final score. As the Golden State Valkyries edged the Atlanta Dream in a nail-biter to take a 1-0 series lead, all eyes were on what happened before the opening tip.
According to a report from OutKick's Dan Zaksheske, both teams vacated the court as the “Star Spangled Banner” began to play. They filed into the locker rooms and only returned after the anthem concluded—a two-minute exit that raised eyebrows and questions about league policy.
“Both the Dream and the Valkyries left the court prior to the playing of the National Anthem before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals,” Zaksheske reported. “They literally left the floor for only the two minutes the anthem was played. Guess that’s just part of the pregame routine though.”
Zaksheske also noted that the WNBA was asked if there is a rule requiring teams to be present for the anthem. The league did not immediately respond. Neither team issued a comment, and both coaches were not given the chance to address the matter in postgame press conferences.
Here's where it gets interesting: the WNBA rulebook does contain an official anthem policy. Under Section H of the II. BASIC PRINCIPLES, it states: “Players, coaches, and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem.”
The wording, however, leaves room for interpretation. The rule could apply only to those who are on the court when the anthem plays. Since the Dream and Valkyries players were not on the court—they were in the locker room—the policy might not technically apply to them. That ambiguity is exactly what makes this situation so intriguing.
This isn't the first time anthem protocols have sparked debate in sports. From the NFL's anthem policy controversies to tribute performances that honor resilience, the topic remains a lightning rod. The WNBA has historically been a league where players use their platform for social justice, and this Finals opener adds another layer to that conversation.
The league's silence on the matter is telling. With the Finals now underway, the question lingers: will the WNBA enforce its rulebook, or will this become a precedent for future games? Fans and analysts alike are watching closely.
For now, the Valkyries hold a 1-0 lead in the series, but the off-court drama has overshadowed the on-court action. As the series shifts to Atlanta, all eyes will be on the pregame routine—and whether the anthem policy is finally addressed.
