12:30 p.m. Tipoff: Atlanta Dream Owners Question WNBA Finals Logistics

The Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries will play Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena. The Dream ownership group released an open letter on Wednesday expressing frustration with the schedule, arguing that the team had raised venue and timing concerns months in advance.

The letter, signed by owners Larry and Robyn Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery, stated that their warnings did not receive the necessary urgency. The group noted that when the WNBA finalized playoff dates on Dec. 4, 2025, they flagged conflicts with NBA games at State Farm Arena. The owners said these issues were reiterated throughout the playoffs but remained unresolved.

State Farm Arena, home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, has a seating capacity of approximately 17,000. The Dream have primarily played at Gateway Center Arena for recent seasons, a venue with a WNBA-low capacity of 3,500. The team announced plans to move all home games back to State Farm Arena starting in 2027, a decision the owners said was driven by a desire to provide a larger stage for the city.

The scheduling conflict has forced adjustments for the Hawks. The team’s home game against the Houston Rockets was moved to 8:30 p.m. last Saturday, and their matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday will start at 8 p.m. to allow arena crews time to prepare the floor. Game 3 of the Finals was also moved up by one day, meaning all three WNBA games in Atlanta required schedule changes.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert defended the arrangement in a statement on Monday, calling the sellout crowds for Games 3 and 4 a tremendous success. She thanked the NBA, the Dream, the Valkyries, the Hawks, State Farm Arena, and USA Network for their collaboration. ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne described the weekday afternoon slot as the best of the bad solutions, noting that alternative dates conflicted with Warriors games and Election Day.

Despite the early start, the Dream sold out tickets for Game 6 on Wednesday. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens asked employers and educators to extend grace to fans attending the matinee. The Dream currently trail the Valkyries 2-3 in the best-of-seven series after Golden State took the lead on Monday.

The ownership group suggested the scheduling issues may have stemmed from an assumption that the Dream would not reach the Finals. The letter stated that the city deserves the opportunity to show up for its team on a world-class stage, emphasizing that the team earned its place in the championship round.