Angel Reese's 'Protect Black Women' Shirt Sparks Discussion During WNBA Finals

Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese wore a T-shirt with the message "Protect Black women" as she entered the Chase Center for Game 5 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries. The message on her shirt has prompted discussion among fans and observers.

It remains unclear if Reese's statement was a general observation or a specific reference to current events. Reese has previously expressed her opinions on societal issues.

The WNBA Finals have also been marked by discussions surrounding team actions during the national anthem. Both the Dream and the Valkyries have reportedly left the court before the anthem in some games. Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard stated she has not been on the floor for the anthem during her tenure with the team but emphasized her patriotism when playing for the U.S. national team.

Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase indicated that leaving the court for the anthem has been a pregame routine for the franchise since its inception in the league. "I love the country that I play for and I love what we have here," Howard added regarding her stance.

Further complicating the series, a scheduling conflict arose regarding the location for a potential Game 6. The league adjusted the game time to 12:30 p.m. ET to accommodate venue issues at State Farm Arena, requiring fans to adjust their schedules for the afternoon matchup.