WNBA Finals Game 6 Slated For 12:30 P.M. Start In Atlanta

The sixth game of the WNBA Finals will begin at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, a midday slot that stems from the Atlanta Dream's push to play at State Farm Arena rather than its own 3,500-seat venue. The matchup against the Golden State Valkyries was originally scheduled for an 8 p.m. start at Gateway Center Arena.

The Dream sought the larger venue to meet growing ticket demand for women's professional basketball. In an open letter to the city, the team wrote that its concerns about securing a properly sized arena for Finals games in Atlanta went unheeded, and it called the move to midday "not what we fought for."

State Farm Arena is home to the Atlanta Hawks, whose schedule was altered to accommodate the WNBA series. The Hawks' Saturday game against the Houston Rockets was pushed to 8:30 p.m. to clear the arena for Game 4, and Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers moved to 8 p.m., one hour later than planned, to make room for Game 6.

The arena change carried a tradeoff for fans on the West Coast. A 12:30 p.m. Eastern start translates to 9:30 a.m. in the Bay Area, where the Valkyries are based. Players Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton suggested supporters call in sick to watch the broadcast.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the sellout crowds at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a success and thanked the NBA, both teams, the Hawks, the arena and USA Network for working out the change. Dream shooting guard Allisha Gray said the team remains focused regardless of the clock: "It's the Finals.. We got a championship to win."

Gateway Center Arena, the Dream's regular home court, holds about 3,500 people. The team's letter said it wanted fans and the city to see the series "played on a world-class stage," which meant State Farm Arena.

The Dream and Valkyries meet Thursday for Game 6, with a championship available to be claimed.