The NBA’s 78th season comes to an action-packed conclusion with the 2024 NBA Finals, tipping off on Thursday, June 6.
This year, the Boston Celtics return to the championship series for the 22nd time. They’ll face the Dallas Mavericks, who haven’t been to the finals since their sole NBA title win in 2011.
Will Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum finally win an NBA championship, or will Luka Doncic deliver some magic in favor of the Mavericks? Keep reading for a closer look at how to watch the climatic best-of-seven series—including game times and channel listings.
What channel shows the NBA Finals?
ABC will broadcast every game of the 2024 NBA Finals, with exclusive Spanish-language coverage airing on ESPN Deportes. Plus, NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart will return to ESPN2 with an alternate broadcast during Game 3.
Pro tip: You can listen to the NBA Finals for free on ESPN Radio, which is available to stream in the ESPN App.
2024 NBA Finals TV schedule
The 2024 best-of-seven series begins on Thursday, June 6. If all seven games are necessary, the last game of the NBA Finals will take place on Sunday, June 23. We outline it all in the TV schedule below.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | English channels | Spanish channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics | Thursday, June 6 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 2: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics | Sunday, June 9 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 3: Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks | Wednesday, June 12 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN2 | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 4: Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks | Friday, June 14 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 5: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics* | Monday, June 17 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 6: Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks* | Thursday, June 20 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
| Game 7: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics* | Sunday, June 23 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | ESPN Deportes |
*If necessary.
FWIW: After the NBA Finals, all eyes will shift to the 2024 NBA Draft—starting in Brooklyn on June 26. You can learn more about the 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 can verify that ABC is accessible in your area 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
YouTube TV Best NBA coverage |
Streaming | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
|
Sling TV Cheapest plans |
Streaming | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔† | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
|
Fubo Best free trial |
Streaming | $32.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| 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 |
| 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 | $28.00/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $39.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $85.00–$129.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Vidgo | Streaming | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Xfinity 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 can I watch the NBA Finals for free?
‡CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $39.99 (as of 5/29/24 2:45 p.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. 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 FCC’s Reception Map Tool. You’ll also discover other OTA channels offered in your region.
2024 NBA Finals overview
Previous encounters
This season, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks went head-to-head two times. The first game took place on January 22 in Dallas and saw the Celtics win 119–110. Jayson Tatum scored the most points for Boston (39), while Luka Doncic led the Mavericks (33). 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 a few months later, on March 1. Boston dominated the home game, which ended with a 138–110 scoreline. But Doncic was still a force to be reckoned with. The Slovenia international nabbed a triple-double with 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.
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What to expect
The 2024 NBA Finals mark the Dallas Mavericks’ third appearance in the championship series. Despite 44 years in the league, the North Texas team only survived the Conference Finals two other times.
Since the Celtics clinched the No. 1 seed, it’s easy to assume they’re the clear favorites. A core group led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday looks satisfying on paper. But the Mavericks are resilient and should put up a good fight.
Of course, the Mavericks’ path to the Larry O’Brien Trophy won’t be easy. There has never been a No. 5 seed that has won the NBA Finals since the 16-team playoff format started in 1984. But then again, head coach Jason Kidd’s roster features the playoff’s best player: Luka Doncic.
Playoff leaders:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 31, 2024
PTS — Luka Doncic
REB — Luka Doncic
AST — Luka Doncic
STL — Luka Doncic
FGM — Luka Doncic
3PM — Luka Doncic
FTM — Luka Doncic pic.twitter.com/DjsmJFKnKD
How to watch the NBA Finals FAQ
Where can I stream the NBA Finals?
You can stream the NBA Finals on any live TV streaming service with ABC. We like YouTube TV for its expansive NBA coverage, but Sling TV is the cheapest option. While ABC isn’t available to every Sling TV subscriber, the Sling Orange plan streams NBA on ABC broadcasts via ESPN3 for $40 a month.
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 championship series coverage remains limited to studio programs and alt broadcasts.
Where are the NBA Finals held in 2024?
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. TD Garden in Boston and American Airlines Center in Dallas will host this year’s games.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
‡Amazon.com price as of 5/29/24 2:45 p.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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