At State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, the Golden State Valkyries edged the Atlanta Dream 67-62 to even the WNBA Finals series at two games apiece. The closely contested matchup continued a highly competitive championship battle, underscoring the rising quality of women’s professional basketball. However, amid the on-court action, off-court political tensions once again surfaced in the backdrop of the finals.
Before the game, singer Crystal Renee performed the national anthem as is customary. Both teams briefly left the court during the anthem, a practice with the WNBA that has been in place for several years and not intended as a protest. Nonetheless, conservative media outlets reignited controversy by framing the teams’ actions as disrespectful, fueling criticism from right-wing commentators and former President Donald Trump. Trump called for women’s basketball to impose anthem rules similar to past NFL policies and singled out NBA star LeBron James for allegedly practicing a golf swing during an anthem at a Philadelphia 76ers game earlier the same week.
LeBron James dismissed the criticism as a sign of routine political distractions, while the WNBA chose not to engage publicly on the matter, emphasizing the league’s longstanding protocols. The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries remained focused on their pursuit of a championship, leaving political controversies largely on the sidelines.
Players expressed a desire to stay united and insulated from outside distractions. Golden State center Kiah Stokes highlighted the importance of internal team cohesion, especially as her defense played a key role in limiting the impact of Dream star Angel Reese during the game.
Despite the league’s efforts to concentrate on basketball, WNBA games have become recurring flashpoints in larger cultural debates. Former NBA player turned outspoken conservative Enes Kanter Freedom attended a game claiming a need for special security measures but declined accommodations offered by the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena, exiting with his camera crew. Meanwhile, anti-transgender activist Jennifer Sey also made appearances at the finals in attire aimed at provoking progressive reactions but received little public attention.
The politicization of the WNBA reflects broader tensions between the league’s culturally and politically engaged players and conservative figures seeking to use sports as grounds for political messaging. The WNBA’s distinct demographic and progressive activist profile—its strong representation of Black, queer athletes and advocacy on social issues—make it a frequent target of right-wing criticism.
Local political commentary further illuminated the divide. On Atlanta’s The Georgia Gang television roundtable, conservative panelist Phil Kent expressed skepticism about Dream star Angel Reese’s accolades while supporting former Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who was eliminated in the first playoff round. Kent’s comments attracted significant criticism online, with some observers interpreting the remarks as dismissive of the sport’s progression and the finals’ dramatic quality.
With the series tied, momentum currently favors the Golden State Valkyries as they prepare for Game 5. Coach Natalie Nakase urged players to focus on their game plan and block out external distractions. Questions remain about how the Dream will respond and whether home venue changes might impact upcoming contests.
As the finals unfold, the tension between athletic competition and ongoing political narratives will continue to influence public discourse surrounding the WNBA. The players and teams, meanwhile, appear intent on keeping basketball at the center of the conversation.