WNBA SETS EARLY START FOR FINALS GAME SIX IN ATLANTA

The WNBA has scheduled Game 6 of the 2026 Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries for 12.30 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, 29 October, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Golden State lead the series 3-2 after five games and can win their first championship in the next match. The afternoon start accommodates an Atlanta Hawks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the same venue. The Dream say WNBA officials ignored their concerns about the Finals schedule.

A Golden State victory could require the Valkyries to leave the court for their championship celebration. ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne said: “They have to turn that arena over for the Hawks game. And so that championship celebration may not actually be on that court.” The scheduling account says the Valkyries would celebrate at a practice arena while workers prepare State Farm Arena for the Hawks game. The start time means supporters in California would watch the match at 9.30 am Pacific Time.

The schedule moves Game 6 from an evening television slot to an afternoon one. The Valkyries are in their second year as a franchise, and a win would give them their first WNBA title. Golden State Warriors and Valkyries reporter Kenzo Fukuda called the arrangement “an unmitigated disaster”. Columnist Dan Wolken said the WNBA and Dream waited until late in the process to resolve the arena conflict.