WNBA Finals players focus on games amid anthem controversy
ESPN WNBA • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 24, 2026, 12:04 PM
Last updated Oct 24, 2026
Players participating in the WNBA Finals are prioritizing their preparation for the upcoming game over President Donald Trump's criticisms regarding their decision to leave the court before the national anthem. The players expressed their intent to concentrate on basketball rather than engage in the political debate surrounding the anthem. This controversy has emerged as both a distraction and a point of discussion leading up to the finals.
- •Players are focused on game preparation ahead of the WNBA Finals.
- •President Trump criticized players for leaving before the anthem.
- •The controversy has sparked discussions about political activism in sports.
- 12:37 PMESPN WNBA — WNBA Finals players tune out anthem talk from Trump, others
"Players in the WNBA Finals say they are concentrating on preparing for the upcoming game and not President Donald Trump's criticism of them and others in the league for leaving the court prior to the national anthem being played.
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