The NBA’s 77th season comes to its climactic conclusion with the 2023 NBA Finals, tipping off on Thursday, June 1.
This year, the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will face off in the Finals. Both teams survived some intriguing matchups during the NBA Playoffs. But now, it all comes down to this.
Keep reading for a closer look at how to watch the best-of-seven series—including dates and channel listings.
What channel is the NBA Finals on?
ABC will broadcast every game of the 2023 NBA Finals, with exclusive Spanish-language coverage airing on ESPN Deportes.
Pro tip: You can listen to the NBA Finals for free on ESPN Radio, which is available to stream in the ESPN App.
2023 NBA Finals schedule
The best-of-seven series begins on Thursday, June 1. If all seven games are necessary, the last game of the NBA Finals will take place on Sunday, June 18.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | English channels | Spanish channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1: Miami at Denver | Thursday, June 1 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 2: Miami at Denver | Sunday, June 4 | 8 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 3: Denver at Miami | Wednesday, June 7 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 4: Denver at Miami | Friday, June 9 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 5: Miami at Denver* | Monday, June 12 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 6: Denver at Miami* | Thursday, June 15 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 7: Miami at Denver* | Sunday, June 18 | 8 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
*If necessary.
Pro tip: After the NBA Finals, all eyes will shift to the NBA Draft—taking place in Brooklyn on June 22, 2023. You can learn more about the NBA Draft by visiting our How to Watch the NBA Draft guide.
Best TV plans for watching the NBA Finals
You don’t need a comprehensive TV plan to watch the NBA Finals. In fact, a digital antenna can pick up the entire championship series as long as you live near an ABC affiliate station.
Most antennas cost between $20 and $60, and the one-time purchase comes with more than just the NBA Finals. ABC carries many other live sports throughout the year—including primetime NBA and WNBA matchups. Depending on your location, you may also get channels like CBS, FOX, and NBC for more major league sports.
Before buying an antenna, you’ll want to verify that ABC is accessible in your area. You can check this by entering your zip code into the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool.
If you don’t live within range of an ABC station, we recommend YouTube TV for watching the NBA Finals. The live TV streaming service costs $72.99 a month and comes with every national NBA channel. That way, if you enjoy your experience, you can stick around for NBA Summer League games.
Which TV providers carry the NBA Finals?
Most cable, satellite, and live TV streaming providers carry the NBA Finals because ABC and ESPN Deportes are widely available channels. But you may need a higher-tier plan or Spanish-language add-on to get ESPN Deportes.
For more information, scroll through our provider table below.
| Provider | Type | Price | ABC | ESPN Deportes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | Streaming | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | Satellite | $84.99–$114.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $32.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $76.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $25.00/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔† | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $69.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | Streaming | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
† Available only in select markets with Sling Blue. Without ABC, Sling Orange subscribers can stream the NBA Finals on ESPN3.
How to watch the NBA Finals for free
‡CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $47.99 (as of 4/21/23 10:45 a.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
To watch the NBA Finals for free, you can sign up for a free live TV streaming trial or use an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to access your local ABC station. We prefer using an antenna because most free trials won’t last all seven games of the NBA Finals.
Our favorite antenna is the Mohu Leaf 50 ($47.99 on Amazon‡). Its 60-mile range and added amplifier are perfect for those who live in urban and suburban areas. But our Best OTA Antennas guide can point you in the right direction if you need an antenna with more range.
As mentioned earlier, you can check if ABC is available in your area using the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool. You may even discover other OTA channels your region offers.
2023 NBA Finals overview
Previous encounters
Looking at this season, the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat went head to head two times. The first game took place on December 30 in Denver and saw the home side win 124–119. Tyler Herro scored the most points for the Heat (26), while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Nuggets (20). But as the full-time score suggests, it was a high-scoring shootout with many top performers.
The second matchup of the regular season happened two months later, on February 13. With injuries sidelining many Heat starters, Denver claimed another single-digit victory led by a dominant Nikola Jokic performance. The Serbian international netted 27 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.
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What to expect
The 2023 NBA Finals mark the Denver Nuggets’ first time in the championship series. Despite the franchise’s long history, the former American Basketball Association (ABA) team never made it past the Conference Finals until now.
Most points this playoffs:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 30, 2023
543 — Jayson Tatum
484 — Jimmy Butler
453 — Jaylen Brown
449 — Nikola Jokic pic.twitter.com/CDJ8Xr6TsF
Since the Nuggets clinched the No. 1 seed, it’s easy to assume they’re the clear favorites. A core group led by Nikola Jovic, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. looks satisfying on paper. But the Heat are resilient and should put up a good fight.
The Heat’s road to the Finals wasn’t easy. Like the Boston Celtics last season, they had to grind out some tricky wins along the way. If Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, and Bam Adebayo find a groove, Miami could give Denver a run for its money.
How to watch the NBA Finals FAQ
Where are the NBA Finals held in 2023?
The NBA Finals will occur at the home venues of the two participating teams, with home-court advantage going to the team with the best regular-season record. This year’s games will happen at Ball Arena in Denver and Kaseya Center in Miami.
Can you watch the NBA Finals without cable?
Yes, you can watch the NBA Finals on ABC without a cable TV subscription. Most live TV streaming services offer ABC; otherwise, you can try accessing the channel with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna.
Can you watch the NBA Finals on Amazon Prime?
No, the NBA Finals don’t stream live on Amazon Prime Video. While you can watch NBA games through Prime Video with NBA League Pass, the add-on doesn’t include live access to nationally televised games like the NBA Finals.
Can you watch the NBA Finals on ESPN+?
Yes, select NBA Finals games are on ESPN+. But most of its NBA Finals coverage remains limited to studio programs like NBA Crosscourt.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
‡Amazon.com price as of 4/21/23 10:45 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
Taylor Kujawa is a sports and entertainment fanatic who loves using his industry expertise to help keep you informed about your favorite leagues. With a bachelor’s degree in video production and over seven years of writing experience, Taylor brings a wealth of digital media knowledge to CableTV.com. He’s also the co-founder and media producer at Her Football Hub, a UK-based web publication dedicated to women’s soccer football. Outside of work, you can usually find Taylor exploring nature or binge-watching the latest TV craze.
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