Potential decisive Game 6 of WNBA Finals moved to Thursday afternoon in Atlanta before NBA contest

The WNBA has moved Game 6 of the finals between the hometown Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries to a 12:30 p.m. ET tipoff Thursday at the home area of the Atlanta Hawks so the NBA can keep its previously scheduled primetime contest that day.

The WNBA worked hard with the NBA to move the game to State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, where Games 3 and 4 of the championship series were played.

The Hawks have a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers that night that couldn't be moved to another date or place. The only way they could make it work was to play the early afternoon game. The Hawks game against the Cavaliers was moved back an hour.

"The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we're excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.

"We thank the NBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena and USA Network for the collaboration and flexibility that made this move possible. We look forward to delivering another unforgettable Finals experience in Atlanta."

Game 5 will start at 8 p.m. ET in San Francisco.

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase downplayed the difficulty of adjusting to the early tipoff for Game 6.

"What's amazing is we're always prepped for anything," Nakase said. "So we've already scheduled. Made it really intentional. Main thing, rest and recover as best we can. We've had six games in 10 days during the regular season. So yeah, it's really not affecting us. It's just more we can control what we can control and that's rest and recovery."

Added Nakase when asked about remaining grounded through the series: "I just think