WNBA Finals Game 6 Faces Venue Uncertainty in Atlanta

Arena Conflicts in Atlanta

The Golden State Valkyries tied the WNBA Finals at 2-2 with a 67-62 win over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday. While the victory guarantees a Game 6 in Atlanta, nobody knows yet where or when the matchup will be played.

The Dream usually host games at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, which holds roughly 3,500 people. Atlanta has played all five of its home playoff games at the 17,000 seat State Farm Arena, which is operated by the Atlanta Hawks. Moving earlier games required shifting dates and setting up a doubleheader, but Game 6 presents a much tougher hurdle. The Hawks are already scheduled to host the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena that same night.

Schedule Options and Delays

League officials and team representatives held talks through Sunday to seek an answer. A Dream spokesperson confirmed that the team is waiting to hear from the league about whether any changes can be made to play at State Farm Arena. If not, the game will go ahead at Gateway Center Arena.

One idea involves shifting Game 6 to Friday, Oct. 30, and moving a potential Game 7 to Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Valkyries expressed concern about this plan because it would insert three rest days between games. The NBA also considered moving the Hawks game, but that created severe travel issues for Cleveland and Atlanta. For now, fans wanting tickets to Game 6 must wait for a final decision.

What it means for the next game

Here is how our model sees the upcoming action in this championship series:

Atlanta Dream at Golden State Valkyries (WNBA, Tue, 27 Oct): Golden State Valkyries win 48%, Atlanta Dream win 52%; projected score Golden State Valkyries 76, Atlanta Dream 75. Our safest pick: Dream +8.5.

Golden State Valkyries at Atlanta Dream (WNBA, Fri, 30 Oct): Atlanta Dream win 49%, Golden State Valkyries win 51%; projected score Atlanta Dream 82, Golden State Valkyries 82. Our safest pick: Dream +6.5.