Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries Skip National Anthem at Both WNBA Finals Games 1 and 2 Both WNBA teams left the floor during the national anthem in Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 Finals, defying league rules that require players to stand. No explanation has been given by the teams or the league. At 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 17, the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries walked off the floor at Chase Center in San Francisco just before the national anthem began. Both teams were absent from the court for roughly two minutes while the anthem was performed. The same happened again on Sunday, October 18, when the teams went straight to the locker room moments before pop singer Alanis Morissette sang the anthem for Game 2. The WNBA's 2026 rulebook says that players, coaches and trainers must line up and stand during the anthem.The league has yet to explain why the teams abandoned the floor or whether it will enforce the rule. Officials have not indicated any disciplinary action or a requirement that the teams remain for the next game. OutKick reporters attended all five pre‑game and post‑game press conferences on Saturday. They asked both teams why their players were off the floor during the anthem and whether they would stay for Game 2.Fan Outcry Over Anthem AbsenceThe teams and the league have not answered. The Absence was also noted by fans, who felt the teams were disrespecting the service members and the country. The Dream's president, in 2020, had issued a statement saying the anthem did not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans, a sentiment echoed by the team's tweets from the anniversary of George Floyd's death. This history of protesting the anthem may have informed their decision this year.In the first game, the Valkyries edged the Dream 68‑64, thanks to Gabby Williams' 26‑point performance, four rebounds, and two assists. Williams also hit four free throws in the final minute to secure the win. The Dream's Angel Reese was held to 18 points, with the new team lineup focusing on a defensive strategy. Game 2 began at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, October 20, at the same venue.Media Scrutiny Mounts On SilenceThe teams stepped onto the floor immediately after the anthem, following the same pattern as the previous night. No explanation has been provided and the league has not confirmed whether it will enforce the anthem rule in the semifinals. The situation has attracted attention beyond the court. Fans and activists have criticized the teams for ignoring the anthem, while some defenders argue the anthem does not represent the nation's current state.The WNBA has faced scrutiny for not clarifying its policy, especially after the league's public stance on players' political expressions. As the series continues, all eyes remain on whether a disciplinary action will be announced. The league's silence, coupled with the teams' refusal to explain, has amplified media coverage, prompting speculation over the teams' intent and the WNBA's possible response. For now, the national anthem remains the last unevaluated element of the Finals.Will the league step in to enforce its anthem rule? The answer remains unanswered as the series concludes.