WNBA Finals Game 6 Moved To Thursday Afternoon For Hawks Game
Golden State Valkyries can clinch their first title at 12:30 p.m. Eastern at State Farm Arena, a slot opened up to accommodate an NBA matchup.
By Katherine Brooks ·
Game 6 of the WNBA Finals will now be played on a Thursday afternoon rather than in primetime.
The Golden State Valkyries lead the Atlanta Dream 3-2 and can wrap up the franchise's first championship with a win. The league set the tip for 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Thursday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The game had been penciled in for 8 p.m.
The move came to clear the arena for an NBA game. The Atlanta Hawks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena at 8 p.m. the same night. The Dream asked to play their Finals games at State Farm Arena because their regular home, Gateway Center Arena, holds 3,500 fans. According to the Tribune Ledger News, owners of the teams raised concerns about a scheduling clash two months ago but said those concerns were not adequately addressed. The WNBA, the NBA and the teams involved looked at other options and could not find one that worked.
The timing drew comment from both rosters. Valkyries guard Veronica Burton told fans to "call in sick" to watch the game, and forward Kiah Stokes suggested faking a cough. Dream coach Karl Smesko said, "I hope everybody gets to see it, somehow. I know for some people, it's not realistic."
If Atlanta forces a seventh game, it would be played Saturday. A Golden State win on Thursday ends the series.
Source: WGVL
