WNBA Finals players and coaches refuse to explain anthem absences

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase and Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard declined to explain why their teams remain off the court during the national anthem for the third straight WNBA Finals game. Both players and coaches described the absences as part of a pregame routine, but did not identify who established the practice or why it is performed during the anthem.

OutKick asked Nakase directly about the routine during a media availability ahead of Game 4. Nakase stated that she focuses on plays with her staff during the 90 seconds before tip-off. When asked whose decision it was to be absent, Nakase said, "I really don't know," adding that the practice has been part of the team's pregame for two years. Golden State forward Gabby Williams, who joined the franchise this year, denied that the absences are a protest. She stated that the routine has lasted for approximately seven years, a timeframe that spans her tenure with three different WNBA teams, though she did not clarify if the practice was consistent across those franchises.

The situation carries political weight given historical precedents in the league. ESPN reported that Los Angeles Sparks players voted to stay in the locker room during the 2017 Finals to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Additionally, Atlanta published a statement in 2020 game notes asserting that the anthem does not represent freedom for all Americans and that players would continue to protest. Despite this context, Williams and Nakase did not connect the current absences to a specific demonstration.

Rhyne Howard addressed calls to exclude players from Team USA if they do not stand for the anthem during the WNBA season. Riley Gaines and former Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones have argued that such conduct should carry consequences for international representation. Howard, who stood for the anthem at the September FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, said she is always present when wearing a USA jersey. She questioned why focus is placed on three Finals games rather than the full season, noting she has not been on the floor for the anthem during her time in Atlanta. When asked directly if there was a reason for her absence, Howard and an Atlanta public relations representative both moved to the next question.

Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko said his team is focused on the Finals and offered no further comment on the absences. The WNBA's 2026 rulebook requires players, coaches, and trainers to stand in a dignified posture during the national anthem. The Associated Press reported in 2017 that the league suspended these protocols, but the provision remains in the current rulebook. OutKick has asked the WNBA, NBA, and both team front offices to clarify current enforcement and possible discipline. None of these entities responded to requests for comment.