17,000 seats sold for WNBA Finals Game 6 despite 12:30 p.m. start

The Atlanta Dream confirmed on Wednesday that Game 6 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries is a sellout, despite the widely criticized 12:30 p.m. EDT start time. The team expects approximately 17,000 fans to fill State Farm Arena on Thursday.

The Valkyries lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and will win their first championship with a victory. The Dream must win to force a Game 7 on Saturday night in San Francisco. The early tipoff was necessary because the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks have a home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers scheduled for that same evening.

The scheduling conflict required a second rapid court transformation during the Finals. The Hawks moved their game start time from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to allow crews enough time to remove the Dream’s court and install the Hawks’ court. The Dream previously faced a similar early start for Game 4 before the Hawks played Houston.

Dream coach Karl Smesko said the team is ready for the early start. “I’m glad we’re at State Farm and they got everything worked out,” Smesko said. “Hopefully the crowd gets there early and is ready to support us to a win.” The Dream played most regular-season home games at Gateway Center Arena, which holds about 3,500 people, but moved to State Farm Arena for the playoffs.

Ownership responded to fan concerns in an open letter on Tuesday. The group, which includes Robyn and Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery, stated that the league was slow to address scheduling issues raised two months prior. “The reality is that we are here,” the owners wrote. “We earned our place in the Finals, and our city deserves the opportunity to show up for its team.”

Golden State focused on defense after losing 97-71 in Game 3. Center Kiah Stokes limited Angel Reese to just two field goals in each of the last two games. Stokes said the team increased perimeter pressure to limit Reese’s passing. “Just trying to match her minutes,” Stokes said. “If we can try to limit her assists, too, it’s good for us.”

The WNBA will hold its draft lottery on November 15. Houston and Toronto have the best odds for the No. 1 pick, with a 33% chance each. Washington has a 16% chance. The draft will air at 4:30 p.m. PT following the Connecticut-Louisville women’s basketball game.