Crisis Solved: WNBA reaches agreement with Hawks over Game 6 arena clash
The Dream will retain their home-court advantage at State Farm Arena after negotiations produce a rare NBA and WNBA doubleheader
A championship game deserves a championship atmosphere, and the WNBA has secured precisely that for Game 6 of the Finals. Whether supporters can actually attend at the newly announced time, however, is another matter.
The league confirmed Monday that the Atlanta Dream will host the Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena on October 29, avoiding the possibility of moving one of the season's biggest games to a considerably smaller venue.
The agreement required cooperation from the Atlanta Hawks , who share the arena and were already scheduled to face the Cleveland Cavaliers that evening.
Instead of relocating either game, the organizations agreed to an unusual doubleheader. The WNBA Finals will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Hawks ' NBA matchup at 8 p.m.
While the compromise resolves the venue dispute, it leaves fans facing an inconvenient weekday tip-off.
The alternative would have been particularly disappointing for Atlanta, which has enjoyed tremendous support throughout its postseason run.
State Farm Arena accommodates approximately 17,000 spectators, compared with just 3,500 at Gateway Center Arena , the Dream's usual home venue.
Games 3 and 4 of the Finals attracted sellout crowds at State Farm Arena, demonstrating the demand for women's basketball in Atlanta.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert welcomed the agreement, emphasizing the importance of keeping the championship series at the larger venue.
"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," Engelbert said.
However, supporters hoping to attend must now reorganize their schedules, with the new start time creating obvious difficulties for people working or attending school.
Scheduling conflict forces unusual compromise
The Hawks ' existing commitments made finding an alternative date particularly difficult.
Atlanta faces the Miami Heat on Wednesday evening, leaving insufficient recovery time for the team to accommodate an early Thursday NBA game.
Moving the Hawks ' meeting with Cleveland to Friday would also complicate the Cavaliers ' schedule before their Saturday matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks .
Meanwhile, postponing Game 6 would have threatened the timing of a potential Game 7 in San Francisco, where the Golden State Warriors have upcoming home commitments.
The agreement avoids those complications and preserves the WNBA's existing championship schedule.
Atlanta Dream prepare for crucial Finals showdown
The series remains tied at 2-2 heading into Monday's Game 5 in California, meaning Thursday's contest could determine the championship.
Dream guard Jordin Canada welcomed the opportunity to return to State Farm Arena despite the unusual timing.
"The crowd has showed up and showed out for Games 3 and 4 so looking forward to being at State Farm for Game 6," Canada told reporters.
Thursday's game will be televised on USA Network and streamed through Peacock, with the league planning additional promotional efforts to raise awareness of the change.
A potential Game 7 remains scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
The WNBA has protected the atmosphere surrounding its championship series, but the midday tip-off remains an awkward price for securing Atlanta's preferred venue.
