A Finals game in the afternoon? How the WNBA got into this mess

The WNBA Finals Game 6 featuring the Valkyries versus the Dream is scheduled as a matinee matchup on Thursday, Oct. 29. The potential title-clincher tips off at 9:30 a.m. PT/12:30 p.m. ET. While the league and its teams have entered the mainstream, critics argue that scheduling a Finals game in the afternoon represents a minor league moment that cannot continue to be repeated as the WNBA grows its professional standing and visibility within the sports world.