This article describes OutKick’s reporting published on October 19 about the October 17 Finals opener. Its statement that inquiries were unanswered refers to that publication time; it does not establish the teams’ conduct in a later game.
SAN FRANCISCO – The WNBA and both of its championship-contending franchises have declined to address why players left the court prior to the national anthem ahead of Game 1 of the Finals at Chase Center, according to OutKick. Both teams were actively warming up on the hardwood Saturday before departing just moments before the performance began. Within seconds of the anthem concluding, athletes jogged back onto the playing surface to resume preparations.
Rulebook Requirements and Enforcement Questions
The league’s official 2026 rulebook contains specific provisions governing conduct during the national anthem. The regulation explicitly instructs all players, head coaches, and athletic trainers to form a standing line along the sidelines or the foul line for the duration of the musical performance. However, neither the league office nor the participating franchises have clarified whether the absences represented an adjustment to pregame routines or an intentional departure from standard protocol. Getting an explanation for why the teams chose to be off the floor for those roughly two minutes has proven difficult as outreach efforts continue.