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Enes Kanter defies death threats over trans athlete stunt as he readies for WNBA Finals

Enes Kanter Freedom will attend Game 3 of the 2026 WNBA Finals in Atlanta on Wednesday, despite receiving death threats over his public stance on transgender athletes. The former NBA player announced his plans via social media, defying the risks as he prepares to attend the Atlanta Dream’s championship series against the Golden State Valkyries.

The series remains tied at one game apiece after Atlanta lost Game 1 to Golden State 68-64.

Kanter’s presence in Atlanta follows a series of controversial statements and actions that have drawn widespread attention.

Earlier this season, he was banned from a Chicago Sky home game. His activism escalated in August when he wore a shirt reading ‘WOMAN noun adult human female’ and later appeared on Fox News, where he declared he identified as a woman and should be allowed to compete in the WNBA.

The league has never rostered a transgender player, and Kanter’s remarks have sparked intense debate.

Kanter last attended a WNBA game in late August, when the Chicago Sky hosted Indiana. His decision to travel to Atlanta for the Finals arrives amid a surge of backlash, including a compilation of death threats he shared publicly. The WNBA and the Atlanta Dream have declined to comment on his expected attendance.

The Finals series marks a pivotal moment for both franchises, with the Dream aiming to secure their first championship and Golden State seeking to add to their legacy. Kanter’s arrival adds an unprecedented layer to the event, blending sports and social discourse.

His attendance underscores the growing intersection of athlete activism and competitive play, particularly in women’s sports.

The next game will determine which team takes a commanding lead in the best-of-five series.

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