WNBA Game 6 Tips Off at 12:30 PM Due to Venue Switch

A change in venue for the WNBA Finals has resulted in a 12:30 p.m. ET tipoff for Game 6 on Thursday. The early start time creates a 9:30 a.m. local start for Golden State Valkyries fans in the Bay Area.

The Atlanta Dream originally planned to play the series at Gateway Center, their home court with a capacity of approximately 3,500 seats. The team requested to move the games to State Farm Arena to accommodate growing fan interest in women's professional basketball.

The Dream stated in an open letter to the city that their concerns regarding the availability of a properly sized venue for the finals went unheeded. The team described the solution of moving Game 6 to the noon hour as not what they fought for.

NBA officials rescheduled Atlanta Hawks games to make room for the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. The Hawks' game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday was pushed to 8:30 p.m. to allow the arena to host Game 4. On Thursday, the Hawks' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers moved to 8 p.m., an hour later than originally planned, to accommodate the 12:30 p.m. WNBA start.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement on Monday that the sellout crowds and atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success. Engelbert said the league is excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line.

Engelbert thanked the NBA, the Dream, the Valkyries, the Hawks, State Farm Arena, and USA Network for the collaboration and flexibility that made the move possible. She said the league looks forward to delivering another Finals experience in Atlanta.

Valkyries players Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton told fans to call in sick so they could watch the game. Their coach, Natalie Nakase, said she was not worried that fans would watch wherever they could.

Dream shooting guard Allisha Gray said the team is locked in on winning Game 6 regardless of the time. Gray said the team has to do what they have to do because they have a championship to win.

The NBA moved all three WNBA Finals games to accommodate the Dream’s championship run. The Dream’s letter noted that while they have affection and nostalgia for Gateway Center Arena, they believed their fans and the city wanted to be part of the series on a world-class stage.

Game 6 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena.