WNBA Finals Game 6 Moved Earlier to Accommodate NBA Schedule

Game 6 of the WNBA Finals featuring the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries is now set for 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena. The early start is designed to allow enough time to prepare for an NBA game that evening. Fans in California will need to be ready for a 9:30 a.m. PT start.

The Valkyries took a 3-2 lead in the series with a win in Game 5, positioning Game 6 as a potential championship decider. Despite the unusual time, Valkyries fans are expected to watch their team keenly. Chase Center hosted Game 5 on Oct. 26, 2026, in San Francisco.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr plans to watch the game, breakfast in hand. “We’ll have a day off that day, so, yeah, I’ll be watching,” he mentioned.

Record ratings for several of the series’ games highlight growing interest in the WNBA. The Valkyries have consistently sold out since their inception as an expansion team last year.

Fans like Shaunice Christmas-Miller and her wife, Kendall, have attended all home playoff games. They can work from home on Thursday, ensuring they won’t miss the action. “Absolutely, they will definitely find a way,” Shaunice said about the fans showing up.

State Farm Arena will host Game 6 before the Atlanta Hawks play the Cleveland Cavaliers that night.

Peter Guber, co-owner of the Valkyries, remains confident the fans will overcome challenges such as San Francisco’s morning traffic. Supporters can gather outside the Chase Center’s Thrive City viewing area.

Shaunice noted the importance of planning ahead for future series. “They should have thought ahead for the whole seven-game series,” she said. “The women deserve primetime slots.”

Opinion on the scheduling has extended to social media. Flavor Flav humorously declared Thursday a “paid holiday,” encouraging fans to watch. Ole Miss women’s coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin criticized the noon tipoff, calling it a poor choice for fans and players.

Golden State coach Natalie Nakase and her team stay focused on controllable aspects, dismissing the challenges posed by the early start. Fans and players joked about the time change, with guard Veronica Burton suggesting, “Call in sick.”

Guard Kaila Charles expressed positivity about playing in a larger arena. “It’s a good thing that we can have more people come and support women’s basketball,” she said.