Valkyries Player's Father Criticizes Unusual Finals Start Time

In a surprising turn of events, the father of a Golden State Valkyries player has expressed his dissatisfaction with the WNBA's decision to schedule Game 6 of the finals at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, a time that reportedly conflicts with the Atlanta Hawks' usual game schedule. This unusual timing has led to some confusion and debate among fans and players alike.

The Golden State Valkyries currently hold a 3-2 series lead over the Atlanta Dream, putting them one win away from securing the championship. Should the Valkyries triumph in Game 6, they will clinch the title with a 4-2 series victory, reported by several outlets ³. However, if the Dream manage to win, the series will proceed to a decisive Game 7 back in Golden State ¹²³⁴⁵⁶.

The choice of 12:30 p.m. ET for the start time of Game 6 has been met with some controversy. While the WNBA confirmed this time ²³⁵⁶, there is conflicting information suggesting that the game might actually begin at 4:30 p.m. ET ⁴. This discrepancy highlights the complexity involved in coordinating schedules for multiple teams and leagues in the same city.

Gateway Center Arena, the home venue for the Atlanta Dream, has a seating capacity of approximately 3,500 people ¹³⁴⁵. In contrast, State Farm Arena, where the Dream will play this crucial game, boasts a much larger capacity of over 17,000 ¹³⁴. This change in venue is significant, as it allows for a greater number of fans to witness the action live.

Adding to the intrigue, the Atlanta Hawks have a game scheduled for the same day as Game 6, which typically starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. Due to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the Hawks cannot play a game at 12:30 p.m. ET on the same day as their previous game ³. This situation necessitated a rescheduling of the Hawks’ game against the Cavaliers to 8 p.m. ET, ensuring that both teams could accommodate the WNBA’s needs ¹.

The Atlanta Dream’s performance in Game 6 began promisingly, with a 13-0 run to start the game ¹. Four of the five Dream starters managed to score three-pointers, showcasing their shooting prowess early on ¹. Meanwhile, the Valkyries struggled initially, missing seven consecutive shots at the beginning of the game ¹. Despite these challenges, the Valkyries remain the favorites to secure the championship, given their current series lead.

Ticket sales for the game have been strong, with more than 10,000 tickets sold within the first 90 minutes of availability ¹. This surge in ticket purchases reflects the growing popularity of the WNBA, which saw significant growth this season with approximately 3.8 million people attending games, setting a new record ⁴. Additionally, the average attendance per game this season reached around 11,500, marking another milestone for the league ⁴.

The game features notable performances from several players. DeWanna Bonner, the first Atlanta Dream player off the bench, made an immediate impact ¹. Angel Reese scored her first points with a drive and a free throw, while Veronica Burton opened the scoring with a floater jumper ¹. These individual contributions highlight the competitive nature of the match and the importance of each player's role in the team's success.

USA Network, E!, and Syfy will broadcast Game 6, providing viewers with multiple options to watch the action live ³. For those unable to catch the initial broadcast, the game will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network and CNBC ³.

What we know

• - The Golden State Valkyries have a 3-2 series lead over the Atlanta Dream ¹²³⁴⁵⁶
• - If the Atlanta Dream win, the series will go to Game 7 in Golden State ¹²³⁴⁵⁶
• - Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET, though there is conflicting information suggesting 4:30 p.m. ET ⁴ — ²³⁵⁶
• - The Atlanta Dream started the game with a 13-0 run ¹
• - Four of the five Atlanta Dream starters have scored three-pointers ¹
• - Golden State Valkyries had seven consecutive missed shots at the start of the game ¹
• - More than 10,000 tickets were sold for the game in the first 90 minutes ¹
• - The Atlanta Hawks have a game at State Farm Arena on the same day as Game 6 ³
• - The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement prevents the Hawks from playing a game at 12:30 p.m. ET on the same day as their previous game ³
• - The Atlanta Dream will move to the State Farm Arena, with a capacity of 17,000, as their full-time home in the future ⁴
• - The WNBA experienced significant growth this season, with approximately 3.8 million people attending games, setting a new record ⁴
• - The average attendance per game this season was around 11,500, also a new record ⁴
• - DeWanna Bonner is the first Atlanta Dream player off the bench ¹
• - Angel Reese scored her first points with a drive and a free throw ¹
• - Veronica Burton scored the game's first points with a floater jumper ¹
• - Hawks-Cavaliers game was rescheduled to 8pm ET due to the WNBA game ¹
• - Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have different ownership groups ³
• - USA Network, E!, and Syfy will broadcast Game 6 ³
• - The game will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network and CNBC ³

What remains unclear

• - The exact start time for Game 6, with conflicting reports of 12:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. ET ⁴ — ²³⁵⁶