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NBA Sets 2026 Finals Schedule With No Sunday Games to Avoid World Cup

ABC will carry every game at 8:30 p.m. ET under a revised cadence that includes a rare Saturday night Game 5.

Overview

  • The league announced Finals dates of June 3, 5, 8, 10, 13*, 16*, and 19* with all games in ABC primetime.
  • This marks the first Finals since 1970 without a Sunday game and only the second scheduled Saturday night Finals game since 1981.
  • The NBA removed the extra off day between Games 1 and 2, leaving a single travel day to compress the early series rhythm.
  • Scheduling avoids the U.S. men’s World Cup opener on Friday, June 12 in primetime, while a potential Game 7 on June 19 would follow a U.S. afternoon match.
  • Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league is considering restoring giant midcourt Finals logos in 2026, reflecting broader presentation tweaks under review.