WNBA Finals Game 6 moved to midday as Dream say venue concerns were ignored

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will play WNBA Finals Game 6 on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. EDT after a venue conflict forced a reschedule.

• Golden State lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can clinch the title in Thursday's Game 6, moved to State Farm Arena because the Atlanta Hawks host Cleveland that night.
• In an open letter, the Dream said concerns raised two months ago about playoff dates clashing with NBA games went unheeded, calling the afternoon start "not what we fought for."
• WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert thanked the NBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks and USA Network for the flexibility that made the move possible.
• Valkyries players Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton urged California fans to call in sick for the 9:30 a.m. local tipoff, while the Dream's Allisha Gray said the team is "locked in on winning Game 6."