Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko already had to deal with scheduling uncertainty ahead of Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals. Ahead of Game 6, the last finals game to be hosted by his team, Smesko was one of many basketball folks left wondering where and when the showdown would take place.
But Monday, the league has made a decision: Game 6 will tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday inside State Farm Arena. With the Game 6 schedule finally set in stone, Smesko could breathe a sigh of relief and even crack jokes:
“I’m excited that they got it figured out … And that Atlanta’s gonna get to pack a big arena to see us play in the finals. … I’d like to see it be a national holiday for all WNBA championship games.”
Atlanta Dream Coach Quips At WNBA’s
As was the case with Games 3 and 4, there was a scheduling conflict as Thursday also happened to be the playing date of an Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena.
The solution devised was similar to that for Game 4: moving the WNBA Finals game to an afternoon tipoff while the Hawks’ matchup remained in primetime.
Now, Smesko won’t have to wonder where and when Game 6 will be played. But first, he and his Dream squad will have to play a pivotal Game 5 on Monday at Chase Center in San Francisco.
“That Celebration May Not Actually Be on That Court”: Ramona Shelburne Gives Stunning Report on Game 6 Between Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries
There might be a bizarre sight if a new WNBA champion is crowned after Game 6, though.
On Monday’s edition of “SportsCenter,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that a series-clinching victory for either the Atlanta Dream or the Golden State Valkyries in Game 6 could be followed by a unique kind of championship celebration.
“Guess what happens if someone wins a championship after Game 6? They have to turn that arena over for the Hawks game. And so, that championship celebration may not actually be on that court. I’ve heard there are discussions about whether there’s enough time to turn the arena over in time for the fans to celebrate on the court. It could be moved to a practice court.”
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No matter what happens in the rest of the finals, a new WNBA champion will be crowned, as the Las Vegas Aces are no longer around to defend their 2025 title. This year’s Finals will culminate in either the Dream or the Valkyries winning the first WNBA championship in their franchise’s history.
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