# WNBA players, coaches refuse to explain national anthem absences amid mounting criticism

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/wnba-players-coaches-refuse-to-explain-national-anthem-absences-amid-mounting-criticism/
- Published: 2026-10-23T20:03:19+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:54:21+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/wnba-players-coaches-refuse-explain-national-anthem-absences-amid-mounting-criticism
- Topics: Basketball, Sport, World

## Key points

- Valkyries and Dream players left the court during the anthem in three Finals games.
- Coach Nakase and Gabby Williams called it a longstanding routine.
- Neither explained who began the practice or its purpose.

## Summary

Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream players have been off court during the US national anthem before each of the first three WNBA Finals games, returning just after it ends. The practice has drawn criticism and questions about whether it is a protest, but Golden State coach Natalie Nakase and forward Gabby Williams said it was a pregame routine and did not explain who established it or why.

Nakase said the routine had been part of the team’s pregame preparations for its two seasons, while Williams said it had been in place for about seven years across her WNBA career; Williams denied it was a protest. The article notes that teams have previously linked anthem absences to political messages, including the Los Angeles Sparks in 2017 and Atlanta in 2020. Dream guard Rhyne Howard, who stood for the anthem while representing the US at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, was also asked about calls to exclude players from Team USA over anthem conduct.

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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.