The WNBA Finals will return to primetime on Saturday in San Francisco after the Atlanta Dream fended off the Golden State Valkyries, 80-69, in a Game 6 matinee to stave off elimination on Thursday.

'We ain't have everybody come out at 12:30 for no reason,' Atlanta forward Angel Reese told USA after the win. 

With the crucial game bumped up to accommodate the NBA's Atlanta Hawks-Cleveland Cavaliers game on Thursday evening, the Dream and Valkyries tipped off at 12:30 local time at a sold out State Farm Arena, where celebrities like Grammy winner Usher and comedian Wanda Sykes were on hand. 

Meanwhile, on the other coast, Bay Area fans were gathered at watch parties or around their own televisions at 9:30am local time to see if their team could clinch a title in just their second season.

But as many were quick to point out online, the Valkyries may not have received the memo about the early tip-off, which would explain how Atlanta jumped out to a 32-15 lead after one quarter. 

'Game started at 9:30 AM the Valkyries still sleep give them some grace,' one fan wrote on X.

Another added: 'Valkyries look like it's barely 10am body-clock time.' 

But the best joke may belong to the WNBA fan who wrote: 'Valkyries putting up bricks in honor of all the construction workers who can't watch the 9:30am game.'

Golden State effectively played Atlanta to a standstill the rest of the way as the Dream's Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard combined for 44 points in the win. 

The Dream were initially set to play their game against the Valkyries at the much smaller Gateway Center Arena in the suburbs of Atlanta, but due to overwhelming ticket demand, State Farm Arena was enlisted to hold the larger crowd.

On Wednesday, the Dream announced a sellout for Game 6 despite the much-criticized 12:30pm EST tipoff. There were only scattered empty seats in the upper level despite concerns about work and school obligations hurting the turnout.

'Half of Atlanta called in sick today and I respect every single one of them,' one X user wrote on Thursday.

'12:30 on a Thursday,' another began. 'Somewhere in Atlanta, a thousand dentist appointments just got booked for the exact same time.'

But while attendance was strong in Atlanta, WNBA fans across the country were nonetheless annoyed to be tuning in during the day to watch a Finals game.

'A Finals game at 12:30 PM?' one fan asked on X. 'No wonder fans are furious.'

'12:30 start bottom line terrible decision,' another wrote, adding, 'majority are at work, or getting ready to.'

Although she had six turnovers, Reese still recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points. Tiffany Hayes added 15.

Atlanta's biggest lead was 25 points. The Valkyries stormed back in the final minutes, pulling to 77-66 on Laeticia Amihere's two free throws with 1:57 remaining.

After being held to 22 points in the first half of their 65-55 loss in Game 5, the Dream matched that total in the first 6:30 of the opening quarter.

Much of the production came on 3s. Atlanta made 6 of 8 3s and 11 of 15 shots overall while racing to a 32-15 lead in the first quarter.

After leading 6-5, the Dream pulled away with 13 unanswered points in a run that included two 3s from Jordin Canada.

Reese joined the 3-point party with a shot from the corner in the second period. Entering the game, the Dream were 15-0 when Reese had at least one 3.

While Atlanta's sharp shooting continued for a 46-26 halftime lead, the Valkyries struggled. Golden State made only 9 of 34 shots in the half, often struggling to create open opportunities because of the Dream's smothering defense.

Howard opened the second half with another 3-pointer. Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was called for a flagrant foul later midway through the third period when an officials' review determined she made an unnecessary windup and contact on Howard's face as Howard was driving for a basket.

Kaila Charles closed the third quarter with a 3-pointer for Golden State that trimmed Atlanta's lead to 16 points at 63-47. It was the smallest lead for the Dream since the 13-0 run in the opening period.

Golden State pulled to within 13 points at 68-55 before Gray and Reese sank 3s to push the lead to 74-55. Williams' three-point play cut the led to 77-69 before Gray sank a crucial 3-pointer for Atlanta.

Hayes was called for her fifth foul in a collision for a loose ball with 5:01 remaining. Hayes left the court slowly after receiving attention from a trainer.