Where will the Dream-Valkyries play WNBA Finals Game 6? It’s up in the air
· Yahoo Sports
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries know they will play a Game 6 in the WNBA Finals. But one major question remains: Where will they play?
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The Dream worked out a deal with the Atlanta Hawks to host Game 3 and Game 4 at State Farm Arena. The schedule remains tricky though for hosting Game 6. The Hawks have home games against the Miami Heat on Wednesday and Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
Here’s a look at each possible -- and complicated -- scenario.
OPTION 1: WNBA MOVES GAME 6 TO ANOTHER DAY
The WNBA moved Game 3 to a day earlier last week. It’s possible that the teams and leagues would agree to do the same for Game 6.
State Farm Arena has open dates on Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Oct. 30. Tuesday would be unlikely since Game 5 is Monday night in San Francisco and 24 hours aren’t enough turnaround for the teams.
Friday night also has its challenges. Game 7 isn’t necessary now, but is scheduled for Saturday and presents the same turnaround challenge.
There isn’t much room on the calendar for Game7 either. The Valkyries share Chase Center with the Golden State Warriors, who have games Sunday and Monday. They could move Game 7 to Tuesday or do a double-header which brings us to the next option.
OPTION 2: ANOTHER DREAM AND HAWKS DOUBLE HEADER
State Farm Arena pulled off a double-header with the Dream-Valkyries Game 4 followed by the Hawks home opener on Saturday. It took thousands of employees to turn the court around in the matter of hours.
Another double-header is an option.
It’s possible the NBA would agree to move Hawks game before the Dream-Valkyries game. But what happens if the WNBA Finals game is first and a champion is crowned?
The arena may not have as much time to shift from the WNBA championship ceremony to the Hawks.
OPTION 3: DREAM PLAY AT GATEWAY CENTER ARENA OR ANOTHER VENUE
Atlanta played most of its regular-season home games at Gateway Center Arena in College Park.
Gateway Center Arena holds only 3,500 compared to 17,000 capacity at State Farm Arena. And Dream fans say they deserve to watch their team in a larger arena, which was sold out for Game 3 and Game 4.
Other arenas in the Atlanta area have come up in the conversations before: McCamish Pavilion on Georgia Tech’s campus and Gas South Arena in Gwinnett County.
Gas South Arena has open dates on Wednesday and Friday. But if either is an option, there’s still the issue of moving the Dream court and equipment.
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