Atlanta Dream say they remain focused and confident before elimination game
Players and coach Karl Smesko say the unusual midday start has not distracted Atlanta as it prepares to face Golden State in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals.
The Atlanta Dream said after practice Wednesday, October 28, that they remain focused and confident before Thursday’s Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The 12:30 p.m. ET start has drawn attention because of a venue conflict, but the immediate stakes are on the court: Atlanta trails the Golden State Valkyries 3-2 and must win to keep its title hopes alive.
Coach Karl Smesko told reporters the players had barely discussed the scheduling issue among themselves, according to CBS Sports. DeWanna Bonner likewise said the timing was the least of the team’s concerns. ‘It’s just win or die,’ she said, adding that the Dream had not lost confidence despite their offensive struggles.
Angel Reese said Thursday’s game sold out within hours of tickets becoming available Monday. ‘I’m really grateful to be able to play in front of the fans one more time,’ she told reporters after Wednesday’s practice at Gateway Center, according to CBS Sports.
What Atlanta must change in Game 6
The Dream took a 2-1 series lead with wins in Games 2 and 3, then lost Game 4 at home 67-62 and Game 5 in San Francisco 64-55. Reese scored eight points in Game 4 and seven in Game 5. ESPN reported that she had averaged 25.5 points and 14 rebounds across Atlanta’s two victories, showing how sharply her scoring has fallen during Golden State’s comeback.
Turnovers have also shifted the series. ESPN reported that Golden State averaged 18 turnovers in its losses in Games 2 and 3, then nine in its wins in Games 4 and 5. Atlanta averaged 17.5 turnovers across those two defeats. Allisha Gray’s production has fallen from 19.0 points per game in the regular season to 13.9 across eight playoff games; ESPN identified a hand injury as one factor in her reduced effectiveness.
Why Game 6 starts in the afternoon
Game 6 had originally been scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. CBS Sports reported that the Dream reserved the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena for the playoffs, although they played earlier postseason games at the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena. The Atlanta Hawks also have a home game scheduled at State Farm Arena at 8 p.m. Thursday, and the parties agreed to move the Finals game to 12:30 p.m.
A Valkyries win Thursday would secure the championship in the franchise’s second season. If Atlanta wins, the best-of-seven series will return to San Francisco for a deciding Game 7 on Saturday, October 31, ESPN reported.
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Sources and context
- Dream staying focused and confident ahead of WNBA Finals Game 6 despite scheduling madnessCBS Sports
- Valkyries look to clinch, Dream try to stay alive in Game 6 of the WNBA FinalsESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.