Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
WNBA teams leave court before anthem for third straight Finals game
Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the national anthem ahead of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta.
It was the third straight game in the series in which players from both teams left before the anthem.
The league's rulebook says players must stand and line up during the anthem, but the teams' reasons for leaving were not clear.
Vice President JD Vance called the action disgraceful and said it showed disrespect for the country.
The dispute has drawn criticism from fans and renewed debate over the anthem and patriotism in women's basketball.
The Dream also stayed off court for the anthem during a 2020 protest, saying it did not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans; no next step is specified.
Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the national anthem ahead of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
It was the third consecutive Finals game in which the teams left the court before the anthem.
Vice President JD Vance called the walk-offs “disgraceful” and said they showed disrespect for the country.
The precise reasons for the players’ decision in Game 3 were not clear.
The game was held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, where Q Parker performed the anthem.
- Who
- Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries.
- What
- They left the court before the national anthem ahead of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
- When
- Before Game 3; the article was published on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
- Why
- The players’ precise reasons were not clear.
Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries players
JD Vance
Conduct
Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries players
The players left the court before the anthem for the third straight Finals game; their precise reasons were not clear.
JD Vance
Vance called the walk-off disgraceful and said it disrespected the country.
The Atlanta Dream protested the anthem during the George Floyd protests and said it did not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans.
The teams left the court before the anthem in each of the first two games.
JD Vance criticized the walk-offs as disgraceful.
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the anthem at State Farm Arena.
- Teams
- Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries
- Game
- Game 3 of the WNBA Finals
- Venue
- State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- Anthem performer
- Q Parker
- Consecutive games
- Three
- Published
- October 22, 2026
What people are saying
I think it's disgraceful.
This is your country
We're all meant to love it.