2025 NBA Finals Schedule: Date, Start Time, TV Channel, Venue
It’s that time of year again. The NBA season is winding down, and soon, only two teams will be left standing. The NBA Finals are just around the corner, and fans everywhere are gearing up to see who will take the crown in 2025.
When Does the NBA Finals Start?
The league has locked in Thursday, June 5, 2025, as the opening night of the Finals. That’s when the championship series officially begins. As always, the full schedule depends on how the playoffs unfold, but that date is set.
Here is the 2025 NBA finals schedule, including date, matchup, start time, TV channel, and venues:
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, 05 Jun | Game 1 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC | TBD |
| Sun, 08 Jun | Game 2 | TBD | 8:00 PM | ABC | TBD |
| Wed, 11 Jun | Game 3 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC | TBD |
| Fri, 13 Jun | Game 4 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC | TBD |
| Mon, 16 Jun* | Game 5 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC | TBD |
| Thu, 19 Jun* | Game 6 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC | TBD |
| Sun, 22 Jun* | Game 7 | TBD | 8:00 PM | ABC | TBD |
* If necessary
How the Format Works
The Finals stick to a best-of-seven setup. To win the title, a team needs four victories. The games are split in a 2-2-1-1-1 format. That means:
- The team with the better regular-season record hosts Games 1 and 2
- The other team gets Games 3 and 4
- If needed, they alternate hosting for Games 5, 6, and 7
It keeps things fair and exciting down the stretch.
How Many Games Could Be Played?
The series could wrap up in just four games if one team dominates. But it might go the full seven if the teams are evenly matched. No matter how long it goes, each game matters—and every possession could change everything.
What channel is the NBA Finals on?
All games will be broadcast live on ABC. If your cable or satellite package includes ABC, you’re all set. If not, it might be time to call your provider or look into streaming options.
How to Watch NBA Finals live stream Online?
You don’t need cable to watch the Finals. You can stream them live with a few different options:
- ABC.com or the ABC app (with a TV login)
- Live TV streaming platforms like FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV (Orange), or DirecTV Stream
Just double-check that ABC is offered in your area before you sign up. Some of these services even offer free trials, which can come in handy during the Finals.
How the Playoffs Lead to the Finals
Sixteen teams make the playoffs. Eight come from the East and eight from the West. The top teams play the lowest seeds, and winners advance round by round.
The path goes like this:
- First Round
- Conference Semifinals
- Conference Finals
- Then the big one—the NBA Finals
Each round is best-of-seven, just like the championship. And yes, home-court advantage is always based on regular-season records.
Who won the 2024 NBA finals?
In 2024, the Boston Celtics came out on top. They took down the Dallas Mavericks in five games, winning the series 4-1. That victory gave the Celtics their 18th NBA title, moving them past the Lakers for the most in league history.
Jaylen Brown stepped up big time and earned the Finals MVP award.