Dream say Thursday's WNBA Finals Game 6 is a sellout, despite much-criticized afternoon tipoff

Thursday’s Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between hometown Atlanta and Golden State is a sellout despite its much-criticized 12:30 p.m. ET tipoff, the Dream announced Wednesday.

The Valkyries lead the series 3-2 and can clinch their first WNBA title with a win in the matinee at State Farm Arena. The Dream need a win to force a Game 7 on Saturday night in California.

There were concerns the early tipoff would have the teams playing the potentially decisive Finals game in a half-empty arena because of fans having work and school obligations. Instead, the sellout means another Atlanta turnout of approximately 17,000 is expected for the third time in the series.

“I think it’s good,” Dream head coach Karl Smesko said Wednesday. "I’m glad we’re at State Farm and they got everything worked out. Everybody understands it’s going to be an early start time. Hopefully, the crowd gets there early and is ready to support us to a win.”

The Dream played most of their regular-season home games at Gateway Center Arena, which has a capacity of about 3,500. On Oct. 6, the team announced it will play all its home games at State Farm Arena beginning next season after landing a multi-year agreement with the venue.

For the Finals, however, the Dream and WNBA have had to negotiate scheduling conflicts because of a concert and NBA Hawks home games at State Farm Arena. Because the Hawks had a home game against Cleveland scheduled for Thursday night, the decision was made to schedule the early tipoff instead of holding a primetime game at the much smaller Gateway Center Arena.

Potential decisive Game 6 moved to Thursday afternoon before NBA contest

The decision generated criticism of the Dream, the Hawks and the WNBA. The Dream ownership group of