ATLANTA – Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase called her team’s national anthem absences part of its pregame routine Friday, but did not explain who established that routine or why.

OutKick had been trying to ask players and coaches about the anthem absences since Game 1. But after attending all 13 formal press conferences during the first three games without being called on, OutKick had to wait until Friday’s media availability ahead of Game 4 to ask those questions directly.

Both teams competing in the WNBA Finals, the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream, have remained off the court during the national anthem in each of the series' first three games. (Getty Images)

"What do you do during those 90 seconds that you’re off the court?" OutKick asked.

ATLANTA DREAM, GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WNBA FINALS GAME

"I’m with my staff, so I’m focused on my plays.…