The WNBA Finals might wrap up before most of America even finishes their morning coffee. Game 6, scheduled for Thursday, will tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET, a time that has basketball fans collectively shaking their heads.
The reason for the early start? State Farm Arena isn't available Thursday night because the Atlanta Hawks are hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers. So the league had to squeeze the potential championship-clinching game into a lunchtime slot. It's a tough look for a league that's trying to grow its audience.
As you'd expect, social media erupted once the tipoff time was confirmed. One fan tweeted, "Nothing like a deciding game 6 of the WNBA Finals with a 9:30am tipoff Thursday morning." Another chimed in, "If they gave the NBA a 7 day notice it would have happen but the WNBA is not a real league and can't do anything right why there is a 9am tip off for a finals on a Thursday."
The criticism isn't just about the time—it's about the lack of foresight. One frustrated fan wrote, "To me it seems like the wnba didn't think the dream would be in the finals so all of this scheduling is last minute and frustrating as a fan. Once both teams was at 2-0 in their playoff series in the semi finals the entire schedule should have been mapped out tbh." Another simply said, "Game 6 of a Finals game is being scheduled for a noon tipoff on a Thursday??? If this is not an L I don't know what is…"
Even Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr couldn't resist a jab, calling it a "breakfast" tipoff during his recent press conference. But he also offered some perspective: "It's better than having it at the YMCA that night in front of 75 people. They're doing what they've got to do."
The scheduling mess has sparked broader conversations about how the league handles its biggest moments. Some have pointed to Holly Rowe's bold fix for the WNBA Finals scheduling mess, which suggests a more flexible approach to arena bookings. Others, like famed sports bettor Haralabos Voulgaris, have been slammed for their "ignorant" WNBA Finals takes, adding fuel to the fire.
For the Golden State Valkyries, this is a chance to secure their first championship in franchise history. But for fans, it's a bitter pill. The early tipoff means many will be stuck at work, unable to watch the decisive game live. It's a frustrating reality for a league that's been fighting for respect and visibility.
If the Atlanta Dream manage to force a Game 7, the series will shift back to the Chase Center for a Saturday night showdown. But for now, all eyes are on Thursday's bizarre breakfast battle.
