Game 6 of the WNBA Finals tips off at 9:30 a.m. PT Thursday.
Because of scheduling conflicts with the Hawks’ NBA matchup at State Farm Arena later that day, the Valkyries and Dream will go head-to-head in the potential series-clincher at an unusual start time.
A start time that will likely leaves tens of thousands unable to watch or attend.
On the Post Moves Show, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said the WNBA should have pushed the game back a few days.
But Sparks legend Candace Parker believes the league’s entire postseason schedule was wrong from the start.
“The WNBA as a whole during this playoffs. The scheduling, football on Monday night. We went head to head against the opening week of basketball. We went head to head against MLB. They played on a Saturday for NCAA. Their Game 7 is going to be on Halloween,” Parker said.
If the Valkyries win Game 6, there’s a chance their championship celebration will have to be moved to an alternate location because of the Hawks-Cavaliers game at 5 p.m. PT.
The court will have to be set up for the NBA game, which would push Golden State off the floor with little time to be crowned champions depending on how long the game lasts.
The Dream reportedly explored other options to host the WNBA Finals, but couldn’t find an alternative venue for Game 6. Since State Farm Arena isn’t their primary arena, the team had little say in any scheduling conflicts.
Parker’s comments ring true as the WNBA Finals is in the midst of the busiest part of the sports season with NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL all competing for viewership in late October.
