Who are the Golden State Valkyries?
The Golden State Valkyries are a professional women's basketball team in the WNBA, the top women's professional basketball league in the United States. They play their home games in the San Francisco area. In the 2026 WNBA Finals, they lead the Atlanta Dream 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Why it's in the news
The WNBA Finals Game 6 has been moved to a Thursday afternoon start at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, so the Valkyries could win the title on that day. Retiring WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert thanked the NBA, the teams and the arena for making the change possible.
- WNBA — WNBA Finals Game 6 moved to Thursday afternoon at State Farm Arena
Background
The WNBA is the Women's National Basketball Association, a league of professional women's basketball teams in the United States. The Golden State Valkyries are one of its teams, and their home court is Chase Center in San Francisco, which fans call "Ballhalla."
The team faces the Atlanta Dream in the 2026 WNBA Finals. On Monday night in San Francisco, the Valkyries won Game 5 by 64-55 and took a 3-2 series lead. One more win would give them the championship. A loss would send the series to a Game 7.
Game 6 was first listed as a Thursday night game in Georgia, with the time and arena to be determined. The WNBA then set the game for 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena, the Dream's playoff home in Atlanta. That schedule means a morning start for fans on the West Coast, about 9:30 a.m. Pacific time. The change was needed because the Atlanta Hawks, an NBA team, had a game at State Farm Arena that Thursday evening.
What people are asking
What is the Golden State Valkyries schedule?
Game 6 of the WNBA Finals is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. A Game 7 would follow if Game 6 does not decide the title.
Who is the Golden State Valkyries playing in the WNBA Finals?
The Valkyries are playing the Atlanta Dream. The Valkyries lead the series 3-2 after a 64-55 win on Monday night in San Francisco.
Why is the Game 6 start time in the afternoon?
The Dream's playoff home, State Farm Arena, had an Atlanta Hawks game set for Thursday evening. The WNBA moved Game 6 to 12:30 p.m. ET so both events could use the arena.
What time is Game 6 for West Coast fans?
Game 6 starts at 12:30 p.m. ET, which is about 9:30 a.m. Pacific time.
What happens if Game 6 is not the final game?
A Game 7 would be played to decide the WNBA championship.