Dream, Valkyries leave court before TIs 10-year-old daughter sings WNBA Finals anthem

Heiress Harris, the 10-year-old daughter of rapper T.I., sang the national anthem before Thursday's Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. But, as has been the case all series, the players weren't on the court for the performance.

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.

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One defender of the practice was the father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes.

"This is America, by the way, and Ive 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 dont have an issue with it because its not a disrespect of the flag," he said.

Hayes father, who said he lives in Florida, 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 NBAs Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Golden State entered Thursday leading the best-of-seven series 3–2 after winning Mondays Game 5, 64–55, with a chance to clinch its first championship.

One Dream fan told OutKick she believed everyone should stand for the national anthem.

A male Valkyries fan said he respected the players opinions and beliefs but wanted them on the floor.

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"I do think they should be out there," he said.

Other fans were less troubled by the absences.

"Theyve been doing it for years," another Dream fan said. "And thats their choice. It is what it is."

A woman who said she represents Valkyries center Kiah Stokes offered a similar view.

"I think its their decision," the representative said.

For one man attending with a female Dream fan, the question was more complicated. Asked whether he considered the absences disrespectful, he said, "Me personally, maybe a little bit."

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"But it doesnt concern me that much either," he added. "Not particularly bothered by it."

Another Dream fan attending with his family said he respected the anthem and the players ability to decide whether to participate.

"But we live in a country where you have a choice, so I gotta respect it," he said.

During media availability in Atlanta on Oct. 23, Golden State coach Natalie Nakase described the absences as part of the teams pregame routine.

Those