WNBA coach breaks her silence on decision to skip national anthem

On October 9, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase made her first public comments regarding her team's decision to skip the national anthem during the WNBA Finals. This decision has sparked controversy, with critics including US President Donald Trump questioning the rationale behind it. Now, Nakase has explained that this practice has been a part of the team's pregame routine since the franchise's inception, and she is unsure who originally initiated the decision.

Teams from both the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream have consistently opted to remain off the court for the duration of the anthem at every game during the Finals, resurfacing only when it concludes. These actions have not contravened any rules, as the WNBA rulebook outlines what should occur during the anthem, though protocols were suspended by the league in 2017.

Since then, numerous teams have chosen to leave the court during the anthem, including the Valkyries. During a media availability ahead of Game 4, Nakase stated that being absent from the court during the anthem is "part of our pregame" and that she spends those 90 seconds focusing on her plays alongside her staff. She reiterated that the focus remains on the series, as they have been following this routine for two years.

Gabby Williams, a Valkyries forward, also confirmed that the absence is not a protest but rather a longstanding team practice.