The Golden State Valkyries took a 3-2 lead in the WNBA Finals after a 64-55 victory over the Atlanta Dream on October 26 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. With Game 6 scheduled for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time—an early tipoff that presents challenges for fans—the Valkyries’ players encouraged supporters to make the effort to watch or attend the contest.
Veronica Burton, one of Golden State’s top performers in Game 5 with 13 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks, urged fans to “call in sick” to tune into the pivotal game. Her teammate Kiah Stokes, who also contributed 13 points along with eight rebounds and three blocks, joined in the lighthearted appeal. Both players acknowledged the difficulty posed by the early start but expressed confidence in their loyal fan base, known as the “Ballhalla,” referring to the team’s home crowd at the Chase Center.
The Valkyries, now in only their second season, have quickly cultivated a strong following that consistently sells out their arena. Their distinctive lilac and black colors and merchandise have gained popularity among fans nationwide. Head coach Natalie Nakase expressed assurance that supporters would find a way to watch, highlighting their willingness to sacrifice for the team’s success. “The beauty of Ballhalla, they’ll sacrifice,” Nakase said. “They’re gonna open that app, they’re gonna open their phone, they’re gonna watch. I have no doubt … everybody’s gonna watch.”
The scheduling shift was prompted by a conflict with a regular-season NBA game featuring the Atlanta Hawks against the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena on the same day. The Hawks’ home venue holds roughly 17,000 fans, significantly more than the Dream’s usual Gateway Center Arena, which seats about 3,500. Prior to the Finals, the league had already moved Games 3 and 4 from Gateway Center to State Farm Arena, prompting debate about visibility and attendance.
Game 6 was initially slated to be held at the Gateway Center but was relocated just hours before Game 5 began, fueling some frustration among supporters. One fan at the Chase Center during Game 5 held up a sign reading, “Move the Hawks game. Women = Prime Time,” reflecting ongoing conversations about scheduling and media attention for women’s sports.
Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko also commented on the early start, expressing disappointment that many fans might be unable to attend or watch due to work and school commitments. “I’d like to see it be a national holiday for all WNBA championship games,” he said. “So whatever somebody can do, I hope everybody gets to see the game somehow. I know that for some people, it’s not realistic. They have jobs and won’t be able to make it.”
As the series returns to Atlanta for Thursday’s game, both teams and their supporters confront the challenge of balancing championship expectations with the realities of scheduling constraints.