# WNBA Finals teams end season with one final national anthem snub as Dream, Valkyries leave court

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/wnba-finals-teams-end-season-with-one-final-national-anthem-snub-as-dream-valkyries-leave-court/
- Published: 2026-11-01T04:07:10+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/wnba-finals-teams-end-season-one-final-national-anthem-snub-dream-valkyries-leave-court
- Topics: Basketball, Entertainment, Sport, TV, World

## Key points

- Both finalists stayed off court for the anthem in all seven games.
- Coaches cited pregame routines, with limited explanation.
- The series reached a deciding Game 7 after Atlanta’s 80–69 win.

## Summary

Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries players left the court during the national anthem before all seven games of the WNBA Finals, including Saturday’s deciding match. Their repeated absence drew criticism and questions about whether it was a protest; the article reports that players and coaches described it as part of their pregame routine, while league and team offices did not respond to the publication’s enquiries.

The series was tied 3–3 after Atlanta won Game 6 by 80–69, and Saturday’s winner was set to claim its franchise’s first championship. Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said the routine had been in place for two seasons and that she used the time to focus on plays; Valkyries forward Gabby Williams said the absence was not a protest. Atlanta coach Karl Smesko declined to elaborate, while Dream guard Rhyne Howard said she stands for the anthem when playing for Team USA.

## Coverage

- [Fox News: WNBA Finals teams end season with one final national anthem snub as Dream, Valkyries leave court](https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/wnba-finals-teams-end-season-one-final-national-anthem-snub-dream-valkyries-leave-court)
- [Fox News: Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream fall short in Game 7 as Golden State Valkyries win first WNBA championship](https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/angel-reese-atlanta-dream-fall-short-game-7-golden-state-valkyries-win-first-wnba-championship)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.