Valkyries stars tell fans to ‘call in sick’ for Game 6 as early WNBA Finals news sparks fan backlash

Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries was moved to 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday to give State Farm Arena enough time to prepare the building for an NBA game that evening.

This early information could create a challenge for fans in California, where the game will begin at 9:30 a.m. PT. The Valkyries beat the Dream in Game 5 on Monday in San Francisco to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, meaning Game 6 could determine the WNBA champion.

While Championship Series games, especially potential championship-winning contests, are routinely played in prime time, Thursday’s less-than-ideal schedule doesn’t seem likely to keep Valkyries fans from tuning in to watch their favorite team.

Chase Center is seen before Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Monday, October 26, 2026, in San Francisco, California. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Warriors coach Steve Kerr is among those planning to tune in, even though he eats breakfast at the start of the game. “We’ll have a day off that day, so yeah, I’ll watch,” he said.

Several WNBA Finals games achieved record audiences, demonstrating the interest in the league, this series and its athletes. The Valkyries have sold out every game since debuting as an expansion franchise last year.

Shaunice Christmas-Miller and her wife, Kendall, have attended every home playoff game this season at Chase Center. Their jobs allow them to be flexible and work from home on Thursdays. Nonetheless, the couple believes fans will still be there on Thursday.

“Absolutely, they will definitely find a way,” Shaunice said.

State Farm Arena will host Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday afternoon before the Atlanta Hawks take on the Cleveland Cavaliers that evening. (NBAE via Getty Images)

Valkyries co-owner Peter Guber had little concern about the franchise’s devoted audience coming together when it mattered most, despite morning challenges such as commuter traffic heading to San Francisco for a watch party.

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Fans were invited to gather in front of the Chase Center’s Thrive City viewing area, under the big screen.

Shaunice added that she wished everyone involved had looked at the different options well in advance to avoid such a last-minute scramble.

Golden State Valkyries fans cheer before Game 5 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2026. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“They should have anticipated the whole seven-game series,” Shaunice noted. “Women deserve spots in prime time.”

Others expressed their feelings on social media.

Rapper Flavor Flav posted Tuesday: “Thursday is a paid holiday. Because Flavor Flav said so.” His post included a photo of a note to bosses around the world in the form of a sort of permission form requesting excused absences for employees, signed by Flavor Flav with two titles under his name – “The World’s Biggest Hype” and “Official Supporter of Women’s Sports.”

Ole Miss women’s coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin chimed in.

“I’d rather play somewhere else than get tipped at 12:30 for a WNBA FINALS game! Not a good look! For the fans and for the players,” she posted on X. “Just my 2 cents that no one asked for.”

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Golden State coach Natalie Nakase and her players have always focused on what they can control, and this is definitely not one of those things.

But there were some nifty post-match deals:

“Call in sick, I recommend it,” cracked ringleader Veronica Burton.

“Yeah, right? You all know how to fake cough, don’t we all do that?” »added teammate Kiah Stokes.

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Golden State guard Kaila Charles has no doubt the Valkyries will adapt to this early warning.

“I think it’s a good thing that we can play in a bigger arena so more people can come and support women’s basketball,” Charles said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.