Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will tip off at 9:30 a.m. Pacific on Thursday, Oct. 29. The league moved the game up from its original 5 p.m. PT slot so it could be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, SFGATE reports.
Why it matters: If the Valkyries win Game 5 Monday night at Chase Center, they could clinch the title Thursday before most Bay Area fans take a lunch break.
Why the early start
The Dream played most regular-season home games at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, which holds about 3,500 people. They moved playoff games to State Farm Arena, home of the NBA's Hawks, which seats about 17,000.
State Farm Arena had conflicts on the original dates. To fit in the matinee, the Hawks pushed their game against the Cavaliers back an hour, to 8 p.m. ET, the San Francisco Standard reported.
The league had also considered moving Game 6 to Friday and a Game 7 to Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to reports cited by the Standard.
The schedule
- Game 5: Monday, Oct. 26, Chase Center. Series tied 2-2.
- Game 6: Thursday, Oct. 29, 9:30 a.m. PT, State Farm Arena.
- Game 7, if needed: Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m. PT, Chase Center.
The Valkyries evened the series by winning Game 4 in Atlanta on Oct. 24.