Angel Reese wears Protect Black women shirt before WNBA Finals Game 5

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese wore a shirt displaying the message Protect Black women as she arrived at the Chase Center in San Francisco for Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday. Fox News reported that the statement sparked debate among fans before the crucial game against the Golden State Valkyries, while the Daily Mail reported that both teams walked off the court before the national anthem was performed. [1][5]

The championship series was tied 2-2 entering Monday night. According to the New York Post, Golden State leveled the series by delivering a defensive 67-62 victory in Game 4 to stop Atlanta from taking a 3-1 lead. CBS Sports noted that the Valkyries are in their second season and making their first Finals appearance, while the Dream are in their fourth Finals appearance. [2][3]

Reese was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year this season. As FTMQ News reported earlier, players from both the Dream and the Valkyries have consistently gone to the locker room prior to the national anthem throughout the Finals series. [1][11][15][16]

Off the court, the league faced criticism over the upcoming schedule. CBS Sports reported that Game 6 of the best-of-seven series is set to take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 29. [4][7]