Angel Reese’s Dream Blasts WNBA for Ignoring Game 6 Scheduling Conflict

Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream find themselves 3-2 down ahead of Game 6 of the WNBA Finals. After taking a 2-1 lead in the series, they were beaten by the Golden State Valkyries in the next two games.

The Dream may be one loss away from losing the WNBA Finals but the conversation has shifted from the court to a scheduling controversy over the last few days. The organization have been caught up in scheduling conflicts between the WNBA Finals and other events at the city’s State Farm Arena.

Game 6 of the WNBA Finals has been shifted to 12:30 p.m. ET as opposed to the original schedule of 8 p.m. Several fans were left questioning the decision as the game will be played in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday.

In an open letter addressed to the city, the Dream ownership revealed that they had flagged potential scheduling conflicts months ago. The letter, signed by Dream owners Larry and Robyn Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery, stated their concerns were largely ignored by the WNBA and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Two months ago, when the WNBA finalized playoff dates and times, we raised concerns that the W Finals schedule conflicted with NBA games at State Farm Arena … Our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved.

Dream ownership on arena situation in open letter to Atlanta: "Two months ago, when the WNBA finalized playoff dates and times, we raised concerns that the W Finals schedule conflicted with NBA games at State Farm Arena … Our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved."

— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) October 27, 2026

WNBA and Engelbert have had their hands full with various concerns over the last few months. There have even been instances where players like A’ja Wilson were seen joining the fans in booing the Commissioner.

Games 3 and 4 saw a change in scheduling to accommodate other events. It is unfortunate that the biggest game of the WNBA season had to take a backseat for an Atlanta Hawks regular season game.

Fans react to Atlanta Dream’s open letter to its fans

The Dream have played all their home games this postseason at State Farm Arena, which happens to be the home arena of the Hawks. One of the main reasons is that the NBA regular season began just a week ago, and the State Farm Arena seats 17,000 fans, whereas the Dream’s home arena, Gateway Center, fits just 3,500.

The Dream made their frustrations clear and blamed the WNBA for not addressing its concerns. After the letter went viral, fans were quick to react to it across social media.

@UnderdogWNBA So they had plenty of advance notice to reserve one of the other venues in Atlanta.

— Michael Campbell (@salukifan111) October 28, 2026

@UnderdogWNBA So what did you do after you raised concerns that failed to receive attention…? Just say ‘well, fuck it, we tried’ and throw your hands up?

— SurDaubs (@SurrDaubs) October 28, 2026

@UnderdogWNBA This is exactly why Cathy needs to go 😭😭😭🫠 SMHHHH

— Lei (@lei_55577) October 27, 2026

@UnderdogWNBA the Hawks said if they had come to them a week earlier, they would have been able to find a satisfactory solution. This is not on the WNBA. This is on the Dream leadership and their organizational incompetence.

— tpobaw (@tpobaw2) October 28, 2026

@UnderdogWNBA @9uckles The @WNBA @WNBAComms showing their true colors once again. Honestly at this point we might as well start our own investigation on this league. Like seriously.

— Roxyyy (@rxmx778) October 28, 2026

@UnderdogWNBA “Raised concern the W finals confictwd with NBA games at State Farm arenas” Brother the Hawks play there the dream do not????

— dang (@jase331_) October 28, 2026

@UnderdogWNBA Messy

— trent (@TheTrentHarvey) October 28, 2026

@UnderdogWNBA Wait so @WNBA leadership knew in WAY IN advance and WNBA leadership were basically like, "yeah we hear what you saying but so whet?"

— History Buff PT Political Scientist Sarcastic 24/7 (@DexterPorter) October 28, 2026

Cathy Engelbert announced her retirement and will be leaving her position as the WNBA commissioner after December, but it appears that the last few weeks of her tenure will end with another controversy. However, several fans blamed the Dream as well for not finding a solution, as the State Farm Arena isn’t their home venue.

Steve Kerr made his feelings clear on WNBA scheduling problem

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is a regular presence around the Valks. He has been seen sitting courtside during their games and was recently there with owner Joe Lacob during this WNBA Finals.

The Valks play their home games at the Chase Center and share it with the Warriors. Several Warriors stars, including Stephen Curry, have been seen attending Valks’ games this year.

During his press conference, Kerr was asked about the game and the scheduling controversy.

We’ll be having breakfast at about that time, I think. I guess we’ll have a day off that day, so yeah, I’ll be watching. It’s better than, you know, having it at the YMCA that night in front of 75 people. So they’re doing what they’ve got to do.

Steve Kerr in his press conference

“It’s better than, you know, having it at the YMCA that night in front of 75 people.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Valkyries-Dream game 6 in Atlanta being at 9:30am on Thursday. https://t.co/tvnOxzPmA3

— Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) October 27, 2026

While Kerr’s comments were humorous, he was able to make his point. He framed a noon tipoff as the clearly better alternative to playing a potential Finals-clinching game in a near-empty gym. The Valks are just one win away from a historic championship, while Angel Reese and her teammates will be looking to push it to a Game 7.

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