Both the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the floor just before the young Black singer began "The Star-Spangled Banner," marking their sixth straight absence for the anthem in this series.OutKick interviewed fans outside State Farm Arena prior to Game 6.They offered different views on the practice, with some wanting players on the floor and others defending their choice to leave.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.
DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Heiress Harris, daughter of T.I., performs the national anthem before Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on Oct.29, 2026.
(Getty Images)One defender of the practice was the father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes."This is America, by the way, and I’ve served this country, so they can choose what they want," Renard Hayes told OutKick.Asked whether, as a veteran, he had an issue with the absences, he said he did not."I don’t have an issue with it because it’s not a disrespect of the flag," he said.Hayes’ father, who said he lives in Florida, had criticized the game’s 12:30 p.m.start, blaming the league and Atlanta organization for the scheduling situation.
On the anthem, however, he defended the players’ freedom to decide.The game was moved from its originally scheduled 8 p.m.start to accommodate a doubleheader with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.
Golden State entered Thursday leading the best-of-seven series 3–2 after winning Monday’s Game 5, 64–55, with a chance to clinch its first championship.Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream and Kiah Stokes of the Golden State Valkyries compete for the opening tip-off during the first quarter in Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena on Oct.29, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga.
(Getty Images)One Dream fan told OutKick she believed everyone should stand for the national anthem.A male Valkyries fan said he respected the pl...