NBA 2026 Finals Schedule Confirmed
The NBA has confirmed the schedule for the upcoming 2026 Finals, which are set to kick off on Wednesday, June 3, and potentially wrap up with a seventh game on Friday, June 19. This year’s championship is significant for a couple of reasons; notably, it will mark the first time since 1970 that no games are planned for Sunday throughout the series. Traditionally, the Finals have commenced on a Thursday, leading to a Sunday finale if needed.
Unique Scheduling Highlights
Additionally, the 2026 Finals will feature a unique occurrence with Game 5 slated for Saturday night—a rare scheduling choice, as such an event has only happened once since 1981. Each game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on ABC. Here’s a breakdown of the game dates:
- Game 1: June 3
- Game 2: June 5
- Game 3: June 8
- Game 4: June 10
- Game 5: June 13
- Game 6: June 16
- Game 7 (if necessary): June 19
Influencing Factors
The decision on the Finals schedule was partly influenced by competing sports events, specifically the airing of the Stanley Cup Final by ABC around the same timeframe. Furthermore, the FIFA World Cup is set to commence on June 11, with the U.S. men’s national soccer team beginning their campaign on June 12 at 9 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. Their second group match will take place on June 19 at 3 p.m. ET in Seattle, shortly before a possible Game 7 of the Finals.
Recent NBA Trends
Since the Warriors’ consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018, the NBA has seen a diverse array of champions, with seven different teams claiming the title since that time. The previous season concluded with the Oklahoma City Thunder overcoming the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling seven-game series—marking the first such Finals since 2016. Currently, the Thunder lead the league with an impressive 36-8 record, followed by the Detroit Pistons at 31-10 and the San Antonio Spurs at 30-13.
