NBA Finals begin June 3 on ABC

The NBA has set June 3 for the start of the 2026 Finals, with Game 1 scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on ABC, according to the league’s official Finals schedule page. The league’s season key-dates page lists the same opener and time, and the broader playoff schedule says the page will be updated as postseason scheduling is officially announced. The conference finals are now determining which two teams will reach that series. ABC is listed by the league as the exclusive broadcaster for the Finals. ### When exactly does the championship series start? Wednesday, June 3, is the date the NBA has posted for Game 1 of the 2026 Finals. The league’s Finals schedule page says the series will tip off that night on ABC, and the key-dates page lists the opener for 8:30 p.m. ET. May 12 is the update date shown on the NBA Finals schedule page now carrying that information. The league’s playoff schedule page, updated May 17, says it will add scheduling details as they become official. ### Which network is carrying the Finals? ABC is the outlet the NBA names for the 2026 Finals. The Finals schedule page says ABC will be the exclusive broadcaster, and the league’s season watch guide says the network carries the championship round. (nba.com) Disney platforms remain part of the NBA’s national media package this season. (nba.com) In its August 2025 regular-season schedule release, the league said Disney’s package included ABC, ESPN and ESPN Radio. ### Who is still alive in the playoffs? The 2026 playoff bracket on NBA.com shows the field has reached the conference finals stage. (nba.com) The league’s playoffs hub says the Western Conference finals began on May 18 and the Eastern Conference finals begin on May 19. The NBA schedule page lists San Antonio and Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals, with a Game 7, if necessary, shown for May 31. (pr.nba.com) The East side of the bracket remains unsettled on the schedule page, which lists a Game 7, if necessary, for May 31 there as well. NBA.com’s playoff coverage identifies Cleveland and New York as the Eastern Conference finalists after Cleveland advanced from its second-round series. (nba.com) San Antonio and Oklahoma City are the two teams on the West side. ### How much of the Finals calendar is public now? The NBA Finals page publishes the series-level schedule and says all games will air on ABC. (nba.com) The key-dates page publicly confirms the opener, while the playoff schedule page says it is updated each time postseason scheduling is officially announced. May 31 is the last date now shown on the league schedule page for conference finals games, if either series needs a seventh game. (nba.com) That leaves June 3 as the next posted milestone on the official calendar. ### Where should fans look for updates as the matchup becomes official? NBA.com is the league’s live source for the bracket, schedule and Finals page. (nba.com) The playoffs hub links to series matchups and updates, while the Finals page is the landing page for the championship round. June 3 is the next fixed date on that calendar, and the two conference finals winners will fill the matchup once those series are decided. (nba.com) ABC is the listed broadcaster when the Finals open at 8:30 p.m. ET. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)