The national anthem controversy surrounding the WNBA Finals has drawn increasing scrutiny, yet the reasons behind the teams’ pregame routine remain largely unexplained. After three consecutive games saw the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream leave the court before the anthem, several key figures finally addressed the issue ahead of Game 4. However, their responses offered little clarity, leaving questions about the decision unanswered as the controversy continues to gain national attention.

During her pregame media availability on Friday, Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase faced questions from Fox News reporter Dan Zaksheske about the team’s routine of players not being on the court during the national anthem ever since Golden State joined the WNBA in 2025. But to her response, Nakase pointed toward the team’s established pregame approach.

“We’re two years in, That’s been part of our pregame,” she said.” So that’s kind of been our focus, is that we do our pregame the way we decided to do it… We are locked in, focused on the details, learning from our losses, and focused on how we can get better and make sure we win games.”

When Zaksheske pressed her on who made the decision and why, the Valkyries coach acknowledged the question but still did not provide a direct explanation.

“I really don’t know. I understand your question. I’m not trying to not answer your question. It’s just part of our pregame,” she replied.

So the reporter then asked what the team does during the 90 seconds it spends off the court.

“I’m with my staff, so I’m focused on my plays. That’s what I’m doing right now,” Nakase responded.

The WNBA has a history of players using their platforms to protest and speak on social and political issues. During the 2020 season, for example, players pushed for racial justice and supported the Black Lives Matter movement.

However, when the Valkyries star Gabby Williams was asked whether Golden States’ routine represented a protest, she offered a blunt denial.

“No,” Williams said.

But the reporter quickly followed up by asking why the Valkyries were not on the court during the anthem if it wasn’t a protest. To which she replied, “That’s been the routine for like, seven years now.”

The WNBA’s rulebook explicitly addresses players’ conduct during the national anthem. It states that “Players, coaches, and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem.” And although this rule has not always been enforced, some fans have viewed the players’ actions during the last three games as disrespectful to the nation, with some calling for a boycott of players who engage in such protests while representing Team USA.

So, Zaksheske asked Dream guard Rhyne Howard, who is set to represent the United States at the 2026 FIBA World Cup, about the controversy, and Howard defended her commitment to Team USA while pushing back against the criticism.

“I don’t think I’ve been on the floor for the national anthem for any of my tenure in Atlanta, so if that’s what people are gonna look to nitpick for then so be it,” Howard said. “But as far as competing for your team, when I go put on USA jersey, I’m out for the national anthem every time; there’s no doubt about it. Yes, I love the country that I play for, and I love what we have here. But I don’t think that’s what needs to be talked about in a state like this.”

Yet the reporter pressed her on and asked whether there was a reason she was not on the court during the anthem, to which Howard simply responded, “Next question.”

Dream head coach Karl Smesko was also asked why his team had left the court shortly before each WNBA Finals anthem and returned shortly afterward, as well as who made that decision.

“We’re just kind of focused on the Finals,” Smesko said. OutKick followed up by asking whether he had any comment on the anthem controversy and his team’s absence during the national anthem on the league’s biggest stage. “No,” Smesko replied.

This controversy has now grown beyond the WNBA, drawing criticism from the country’s highest political offices. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both called out the teams’ actions, adding to the scrutiny surrounding their pregame routine. Yet even after facing questions ahead of Game 4, the players and coaches have offered little clarity on why they remain off the court during the national anthem, leaving the debate to continue as the WNBA Finals progress.