WNBA moves Finals Game 6 to State Farm Arena, changes start time

WNBA moves Finals Game 6 to State Farm Arena, changes start time.

Key points

• The WNBA published a statement saying Game 6 between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will be played at State Farm Arena.
• SAN FRANCISCO ― The time and location for WNBA Finals Game 6 has been confirmed, the league confirmed on Monday, Oct, 26.
• We thank the NBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena and USA Network for the collaboration and flexibility that created this move feasible.
• Before Monday's announcement, Game 6 was to be played at the Gateway due to scheduling conflicts at State Farm.
• "Super excited that it's going to be at State Farm, " Dream guard Jordin Canada remarked.

WNBA moves Finals Game 6 to State Farm Arena, changes start time. Meghan L. Hall USA TODAY. Tina Charles' WNBA Finals prediction.

WNBA MVP Tina Charles gives her two cents on what she thinks will happen in the WNBA Finals between the Dream and Valkyries.

Meanwhile, the WNBA published a statement saying Game 6 between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will be played at State Farm Arena. It seats 17, 000 residents, and not the Dream's home venue, Gateway Center Arena, which holds 3, 500 individuals. The game has been moved up to 12: 30 p.m. ET from 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 29, to accommodate the Atlanta Hawks game that evening.

"I mean, it's the (WNBA) Finals. You just obtained to do what you secured to do, " Dream guard Allisha Gray of the early tipoff. "We locked in on winning Game 6. I don't care playing at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., midnight. We obtained a championship to win."

Dream coach Karl Smesko remarked the only thing that changes is no shoot-around early in the day.

"Super excited that it's going to be at State Farm, " Dream guard Jordin Canada remarked. "The crowd has showed up and showed out in Game 2 and Game 3, so looking forward to the game being at State Farm Game 6."

Meanwhile, the WNBA and NBA, alongside USA Network, NBC and Peacock, remarked they would bolster their marketing and promotional efforts with a coordinated push throughout broadcast, digital and social platforms to drive tune-in and build awareness of the game time.

"The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we're excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line, " WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert remarked. "We thank the NBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena and USA Network for the collaboration and flexibility that created this move feasible. We look forward to delivering another unforgettable Finals experience in Atlanta."

In practice, the best-of-seven series is tied at 2-2, meaning a sixth game was guaranteed. Game 5 will be played at 8 p.m. ET Monday at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Before Monday's announcement, Game 6 was to be played at the Gateway due to scheduling conflicts at State Farm. The Atlanta Hawks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. After Game 6, ET Thursday. With the latest development, the Dream and Hawks will now both play at State Farm Arena on the same day for the second time during the WNBA Finals.

Multiple individuals with direct knowledge of the situation informed USA TODAY the potential scheduling problems for the Dream's Finals games were raised "weeks ago" when it became apparent Atlanta would probable create the playoffs. It's USA TODAY's understanding it was then brought up again after the team secured its postseason spot.

Ahead of the championship series, the date for Game 3 was changed from Thursday, Oct. 22 to Wednesday, Oct. 21, to accommodate the venue change to State Farm.

Game 4 remained on Saturday Oct. 24, but the tipoff time moved to 1 p.m. ET from its original 3: 30 p.m. To accommodate a Hawks vs. Houston Rockets game at State Farm the same day. Meanwhile, the Hawks game moved from an 8 p.m. ET start to an 8: 30 p.m. Tipoff. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around WNBA moves Finals Game 6 to State Farm Arena, changes start time point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.