The WNBA Finals have been a logistical nightmare, with odd tipoff times and venue controversies drawing plenty of criticism. But Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, never one to shy away from a candid take, offered a different perspective on the chaos.
Speaking before Game 6, which tips off at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. on the West Coast), Kerr said he'll be tuning in bright and early. When asked about the unusual start time, he quipped that at least the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream get to play in a big arena rather than "the YMCA."
"It's better than, you know, having it at the YMCA that night in front of 75 people," Kerr said. "They'll do what they gotta do."
His comments sparked a wave of reactions from fans. Some saw it as a subtle dig at the WNBA, implying the league often plays in front of tiny crowds. But Kerr's point was more practical: without the early start, the game might not have a suitable venue at all. It's a scheduling issue that has plagued the Finals, and Holly Rowe's bold fix for the WNBA Finals scheduling mess offers one possible solution.
The series itself has been a nail-biter. Golden State leads 3-2 after a 64-55 defensive grind in Game 5, with Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton each scoring 13 points. Burton added eight rebounds and four blocks, while Atlanta's Rhyne Howard poured in 20 points but committed 17 turnovers as a team. Angel Reese, who dominated earlier games, was held to seven points and 15 rebounds.
Game 1 saw Gabby Williams drop 26 points in a 68-64 Valkyries win. Atlanta bounced back in Game 2 with a 79-65 victory behind Reese's 30-point, 16-rebound outburst. The Dream then took a 2-1 lead with a dominant 97-71 win in Game 3, but Golden State evened things up with a 67-62 win in Game 4, where Williams scored 17 and Stokes grabbed 16 boards.
Now, the Valkyries are one win away from their first championship in just their second season. Game 6 is set for Thursday in Atlanta, with a potential Game 7 on October 31. The early tipoff has been a sticking point, but Kerr's lighthearted jab highlights a bigger issue: the league's scheduling decisions have left even the biggest basketball minds scratching their heads.
As the Finals continue, the focus should be on the court, not the clock. But until the WNBA gets its scheduling act together, expect more blunt commentary from coaches like Kerr. And if you're looking for more on the broader sports landscape, the NFL's Week 8 flex scheduling nightmare shows that bad scheduling isn't just a WNBA problem.
