Hawks defeat Cavaliers 114-111, shifting Dream's WNBA Finals Game 6 time

The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114‑111 on Tuesday night, a win that pushed the Atlanta Dream’s WNBA Finals Game 6 into an early‑afternoon slot at State Farm Arena on Friday. The Hawks clinched the victory with a three‑point play in the final minute, extending their home winning streak to five games and sealing the night’s schedule for the arena.

The timing matters because the Dream, who have advanced to the Finals for the first time in franchise history, share State Farm Arena with the NBA’s Hawks. The NBA’s regular‑season finale was set for the same evening as the WNBA’s decisive game, forcing the league to move the women's championship to a 1 p.m. start. The shift is part of a broader push to give the WNBA a clearer window on television and avoid competing with the NBA’s primetime audience. It also reflects the league’s ongoing struggle to secure prime‑time slots in arenas that host multiple sports.

Dream coach Tanisha Wright praised her team’s resilience after the schedule change, saying the players “are ready to bring the same intensity regardless of the clock.” The Dream entered Game 6 trailing 3‑2 in the series against the Las Vegas Aces, who have won three of the last four titles. The Aces’ star guard Kelsey Plum said the early start “won’t change our focus; we’ll treat it like any other game.” Ticket sales for the afternoon slot have already topped 12,000, and broadcasters have adjusted their lineup to showcase the matchup on national TV.

If the Dream win Game 6, the series will be tied 3‑3 and head to a decisive Game 7, likely scheduled for the following night at the same venue. A loss would hand the Aces the championship and end the Dream’s historic run. The early start also gives the league a chance to attract new viewers who might not tune in later in the day, potentially boosting the WNBA’s profile ahead of next season’s expansion talks.