Valkyries and Dream Exit Court During National Anthem

Both teams left the floor before the national anthem at the Chase Center during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Basketball

Valkyries and Dream Exit Court During National Anthem

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Players from the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream departed the court prior to the national anthem during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. The teams returned immediately after the song concluded.

Why it matters

The WNBA rulebook explicitly requires players, coaches, and trainers to stand and line up during the national anthem. The incident has drawn significant criticism from social media users regarding league policy enforcement.

Golden State currently holds a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals after winning Game 1 with a final score of 68-64. The teams departed the court at the Chase Center before the anthem.

The players

Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries are a professional basketball team competing in the WNBA Finals.

Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream are a professional basketball team currently facing the Valkyries in the WNBA Finals.

The details

Both teams completed their pre-game warmups on the court before heading to the locker rooms just before the scheduled anthem. They subsequently jogged back to the playing surface seconds after the song finished.

October 17, 2026: The teams exited the court during the Game 1 anthem.
October 19, 2026: News regarding the event was published.
October 21, 2026: Game 3 is scheduled to take place.

Season Trajectory

This incident complicates the narrative surrounding the WNBA Finals as the league navigates strict conduct protocols. It marks a departure from standard pre-game routines and places pressure on the league office regarding policy enforcement.

Golden State leads the series 1-0 and holds home-court advantage moving forward. The focus now shifts to the State Farm Arena for Game 3, which will be critical in determining the series outcome.

The takeaway

The events during Game 1 highlight the ongoing tension between player expression and league-mandated ceremonial protocols. Fans should monitor league statements closely for any updates regarding potential policy changes or disciplinary measures.

What happens next

Game 3 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled for October 21, 2026, at State Farm Arena. Game 4 will follow on Saturday, and a potential Game 5 is set for next Monday.