Dream and Valkyries leave the court for the national anthem and return seconds later to the WNBA Finals

SAN FRANCISCO – The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries both left the court before the national anthem before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday at Chase Center.

And they were back within seconds of the end.

Angel Reese is no stranger to standing off the field during the national anthem. (Getty Images)

Both teams were on the field beforehand, warming up for the game, then disappeared for about the two minutes it took to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Almost immediately after the singer finished, both teams ran back onto the floor.

I guess it’s just part of the pre-match routine.

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The history of the Dream anthem goes back several years

In its August 2, 2020, game notes, Atlanta included messages from the WNBA players’ union explaining the anthem protests. The statement said “the anthem does not represent liberty, justice and liberty for all Americans” and said protests would continue in various forms.

That statement was made six years ago, during the 2020 WNBA season. The reasons for Atlanta and Golden State’s absences on Saturday were not immediately clear.

Atlanta Dream players walk past a Black Lives Matter graphic on the field after a game in 2020. (Getty Images)

But the time had come. If this was pre-match preparation, what required both teams to stay off the field for those two minutes?

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And watching an Angel Reese team miss the anthem brought to mind a familiar scene.

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Angel Reese’s LSU team also stayed off the field during the NCAA tournament

I was in Albany, New York, for LSU’s Elite Eight game against Iowa in 2024. Caitlin Clark and her Hawkeyes teammates were standing together, holding hands during the national anthem. Reese and the Tigers were no longer on the ground.

Head coach Kim Mulkey of the LSU Lady Tigers poses for a photo with Angel Reese in 2025, when the Atlanta Dream forward was a member of the Chicago Sky. (Getty Images)

After the game, I asked LSU coach Kim Mulkey if that was a conscious decision on his part.

“I honestly don’t even know when the anthem was played,” Mulkey told me.

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She explained that LSU’s routine involved leaving the field 12 minutes before tipoff to handle its pregame preparations. She said the absence was unintentional.

“I’m sorry, look, it’s nothing done intentionally,” Mulkey said.

That was Mulkey’s explanation in 2024. My question then, and one that still comes to mind now, is why being present for the anthem can’t be part of the routine.

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Taking a few minutes to show some appreciation for the country you’re playing for a championship in is a pretty reasonable expectation.

And if your pregame routine requires leaving the field to listen to the national anthem, it’s time for a new routine.

OutKick reached out to the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries for comment, but none immediately responded to request for comment.