Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries controversially left the court ahead of the national anthem once more before Game 3 of the WNBA finals - despite fan fury and fierce criticism from vice president JD Vance.

It has been a divisive theme of the seven-game series, with Vance branding  the walk-offs 'disgraceful.' 'This is your country,' the vice president said. 'We're all meant to love it.'

According to the league's official rulebook, the players are required to stand and line up during the national anthem.

But for the third game in a row, the two teams were seen heading back toward the locker room shortly before Q Parker belted out The Star-Spangled Banner at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The precise reasons why the WNBA stars choose to leave the court are not clear but Vance said ahead of Game 3: 'I think it's disgraceful.'

'I think that you should not express some criticism of a public policy of a given politician by disrespecting the country writ large,' he told Raymond Arroyo.

'I mean, those women who play for the WNBA, think of the public safety, think of the incredible wealth and privilege, the amazing jobs that they have. 

'They have a lot to be grateful to the United States for, and I think that if they had a bit more of a spirit of gratitude, they'd be happier people, and they wouldn't offend so many people as well.'

The vice president added: 'Whether you were born in the United States or whether you came here by choice, this is your country. And I think that we're all meant to love it. 

'We're all meant to try to make it the best version of itself. But fundamentally, I think, without love of country, I think that you're going to be a disordered human being.'

The Dream do have a history with staying off the court for the anthem. In 2020, the team protested the anthem at the height of the George Floyd protests and included messaging from the WNBPA in their game notes to explain their reasons.

Their statement said that 'the anthem does not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans'.