WNBA Finals Game 6 Rescheduled to Early Afternoon Due to Arena Logistics
Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries was moved to a 12:30 p.m. ET tipoff to accommodate an NBA game later that evening, prompting reactions from players, coaches and fans.
Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will be played at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena, an earlier start intended to allow the venue to be prepared for an NBA game that night. The change means the game will begin at 9:30 a.m. PT for West Coast viewers.
The Valkyries entered the matchup with a 3-2 series lead after winning Game 5 in San Francisco, putting the contest in a potential title-clinching position. While the early start may inconvenience some fans, officials said the league expects viewership to remain strong.
"We’ll have a day off that day, so, yeah, I’ll be watching," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, noting he would watch the game despite it starting during his breakfast.
"Absolutely, they will definitely find a way," fan Shaunice Christmas-Miller said, adding that the women deserve primetime slots.
"I’d rather play anywhere else than have a 12:30 tip for a WNBA FINALS game, man! Not a good look for fans and for the players," Ole Miss women’s coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin posted on X.
"Call in sick, I recommend it," Valkyries point guard Veronica Burton joked, with teammate Kiah Stokes replying, "Yeah, right? Y’all know how to fake a cough."
"I think it’s a good thing that we’re able to play in a bigger arena so that they can have more people come and support women’s basketball," guard Kaila Charles said.
Fans have been invited to gather at the Chase Center’s Thrive City viewing area, and the league continues to highlight strong attendance since the Valkyries’ expansion debut last year.