We are three games into the 2026 WNBA Finals, with Game 4 set to take place in less than 24 hours. Angel Reese has led the Atlanta Dream out to a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Valkyries, with an opportunity to take a 3-1 edge on Saturday afternoon at State Farm Arena.
If the Valkyries are going to turn things around, they will need a strong effort from star forward Gabby Williams, whose outstanding play has been overshadowed by Reese.
On Friday afternoon, Williams sat down with the media to field questions about the upcoming game, when one reporter attempted to shift the subject away from the court. The report asked Williams about neither team being on the court when the national anthem is played, which drummed up an outdated controversy on social media.
Williams perfectly handled the question, and immediately shut the question down before the Valkyries PR team jumped in to move the press conference forward.
MORE: WNBA media grifters ripped for ignoring Angel Reese’s incredible Finals run
Gabby Williams Shrugs Off Antagonizing Question
The reporter in question is among those who has been stirring the pot on social media, and bringing culture war topics to the forefront. Whether it be the national anthem controversy, which hasn’t been a thing for nearly a decade, to the “transgender athletes in the WNBA” sideshow that has led to the re-emergence of Enes Kanter Freedom, the reporter offers nothing of value to the actual conversation about the Finals series or record-setting performances we are witnessing.
MORE: WNBA Finals national anthem controversy: No, players don’t need to be on court
Williams is well aware of who the provocateur is, so she immediately shut him down.
Williams was asked whether the Valkyries were not on the court as a form of protest, before simply responding, “No.” When asked for a reason the team wasn’t on the court, she simply said, “That’s been the routine for like, seven years now.”
I asked Gabby Williams if her team’s absence during the national anthem at the WNBA Finals was a protest. “No.” So why aren’t they on the court? “That’s been the routine for like, seven years now.” Golden State PR: “Next question.” https://t.co/4og0t1whzr
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) October 23, 2026
And she’s right. The league suspended an old rule that required players to be on the court back in 2017. Since then, it has become standard for WNBA teams to leave the court 10 minutes prior to tip-off as part of their normal pre-game routines.
It has never been an issue before, and those who truly care about the sport and its athletes are paying it no mind. They are focused on the actual game, which will be back in our lives on Saturday afternoon.
Tip-off between the Dream and Valkyries at State Farm Arena is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter—