WNBA Finals Game 6 scheduled for Thursday afternoon at State Farm Arena

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 19:14 · Archive

The WNBA has scheduled Game 6 of the Finals between Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries for Thursday at 12:30pm ET at State Farm Arena.

The WNBA has scheduled Game 6 of the Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries for Thursday at 12:30pm ET at State Farm Arena, resolving a scheduling conflict with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

The league faced a dilemma because the Hawks were scheduled to play the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena that evening. Rather than move Game 6 to the Dream's home arena, Gateway Center Arena in College Park, the Hawks agreed to delay their tip-off to 8pm, pushing their start time an hour later than originally scheduled. This allows both teams to share the venue on the same day.

The decision reflects the league's priority to hold the potentially decisive game at State Farm Arena, which has a capacity of 17,624, rather than Gateway Center, which seats only 3,500. The Dream have drawn sold-out crowds throughout these Finals, making the larger venue preferable for attendance and atmosphere.

According to ESPN, the scheduling process involved what were described as 'frantic discussions' between the WNBA, the Dream, and the Hawks. The Dream had previously explored other options, including Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion and Gas South Arena in Duluth, according to reporting from the New York Post.

This is not the first scheduling adjustment the league has made for these Finals. Game 3 was moved from October 22 to October 21 to avoid a concert conflict at State Farm Arena. For Game 4, the Hawks also agreed to a doubleheader and delayed their home opener tip-off by 30 minutes.

The early afternoon tip-off for a potential Finals-clinching game is unusual for the league, but all three outlets note the arrangement represents a better outcome than alternative scenarios. The game will air on USA Network and stream on Peacock.

How it is being reported

• WNBA Finals Game 6, a potential title-clincher, will be held in the afternoon on ThursdayAngel Reese and the Atlanta Dream face a midday Thursday Game 6 after scheduling conflicts with the Hawks forced the WNBA Finals to an odd time.Fox News · 26 Oct, 19:06
• WNBA finally makes decision on Game 6 arena, tipoff after ‘frantic discussions’The Dream will call State Farm home again for Game 6.New York Post · 26 Oct, 19:01
• WNBA makes final decision on Game 6 scheduling disaster and reaches agreement with Atlanta Hawks to avoid worst-case scenarioAfter shuffling the schedule around to avoid playing at a much smaller arena, Game 6 of the WNBA Finals will be held in Atlanta early on Thursday afternoon.Daily Mail Sport · 26 Oct, 18:53

In this story: Atlanta Dream · Golden State Valkyries · Atlanta Hawks · Cleveland Cavaliers · State Farm Arena · Gateway Center Arena

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem