SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 26: Detailed photo of the 2026 WNBA Finals logo before Game 5 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center on October 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Note to User: You expressly acknowledge and agree that by downloading or using this photo, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Required copyright notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Dream criticized the WNBA over its decision to move the finals to Thursday afternoon, prompting reactions from rapper Flavor Fluff and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries is now scheduled for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, a change from the original 8 p.m. start time.
The WNBA said the schedule change is intended to accommodate the NBA’s game against the Atlanta Hawks later that night.
In an open letter to fans, the team’s ownership organization said it raised concerns about the schedule clashing with NBA games at State Farm Arena two months ago, but those concerns did not receive enough attention or urgency.
“Perhaps it was assumed that the Dream would not make it this far. Perhaps our placement in the finals was not taken into account,” the owners wrote. “Whatever the reason, the reality is that we are here.”
While the owners expressed disappointment with the scheduling decision, they thanked the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena for adjusting their schedule three times to host the Finals.
Playing a daytime game on Thursday is not something we chose or fought for.
The scheduling battle garnered attention across the league, with celebrities weighing in on the unusual Thursday afternoon tipoff.
American rapper Flavor Fluff proposed making Thursday a paid holiday so fans could watch games, and shared a mock letter asking employers to give workers the day off.
Clinton supported the proposal on social media, writing, “I support this message.”
