Valkyries could clinch WNBA title before clock strikes noon at home because of an NBA game

Isobel Borlase of the Atlanta Dream, right, shoots against Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.Kevin C. Cox / GettyShareAdd NBC News to GoogleOct. 26, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT / Updated Oct. 26, 2026, 11:39 PM EDTBy David K. LiThe WNBA scheduled its potential championship-clinching game for 12:30 p.m. ET Thursday, the league announced, settling a logistical nightmare that appeared to have few satisfactory solutions.

That means for California fans of the Golden State Valkyries, who are now one win away from a title, tip-off over the Atlanta Dream will happen over morning coffee about 9:30 a.m. PT.

“Doesn’t matter what time it is. At the end of the day, we just need 94 feet, two hoops and each other,” Golden State center Kiah Stokes told reporters after her team’s Game 5 win in San Francisco on Monday night.

“As much as much as we love ‘Ballhalla’ [Chase Center in San Francisco], we don’t want to come back here [for a Game 7],” she continued. “So we need to go in with the mentality that we have to win. It’s do or die.”

Game 6 had always been set for Thursday night in Georgia with its location and exact tipoff time listed as TBD because of a series of scheduling conflicts.

The Dream’s playoff home, State Farm Arena, has an Atlanta Hawks game scheduled for Thursday night.

“We thank the NBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena and USA Network for the collaboration and flexibility that made this move possible,” retiring WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement Monday afternoon.

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But with Game 6 set for Thursday, the same day as a 7 p.m. Hawks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm, that big venue was not available for a primetime women’s game.

The Valkyries took a 3-2 series lead Monday night with a 64-55 victory in San Francisco as the second-year franchise closed to within one triumph of winning it all.

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In the WNBA’s prepared statement, Engelbert did not address the odd start time and focused on the league’s playing in front of a larger crowd.

“The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere of State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we’re excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line,” she said.

Game 6 will be televised on USA Network and stream on Peacock.

The Hawks game was moved to 8 p.m. ET for more time to prep State Farm Arena for NBA action.

The WNBA, the arena, the broadcasters and the teams had to make adjustments just to get Games 3 and 4 into State Farm.

Game 3 was moved up by one day to Wednesday, rescheduled from Thursday, when State Farm played host to a Sombr concert.

Game 4 was shifted to an earlier time Saturday, to 1 p.m. from 3:30 p.m. ET, so arena workers had enough time to convert State Farm for the Hawks’ game against the Houston Rockets that night.

David K. LiSenior Breaking News Reporter