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NBA Sets 2026 Finals for June 3–19 With No Sunday Games for First Time Since 1970

The league shifted away from Sunday slots to avoid clashes with U.S.-hosted World Cup broadcasts.

Overview

  • The series opens Wednesday and follows a Wednesday–Friday–Monday–Wednesday cadence, with a possible Saturday Game 5 and a Friday Game 7.
  • Every game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
  • The extra off day between Games 1 and 2 was removed, shortening the overall window by one day.
  • Scheduling accounts for FIFA World Cup dates, including a U.S. match on June 12 in primetime and another on June 19 hours before a potential Game 7.
  • The adjustment lands in the first season of a new media-rights deal that league officials say may lead to further playoff scheduling changes.