2026 NBA playoffs: Schedule, scores, news and highlights
The 2026 NBA playoffs are underway. Keep up with every series right here.
www.espn.inHere are the latest dates for the 2026 NBA Finals.
Core dates
- Start of the Finals: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
- Potential Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, June 19, 2026
- All games are scheduled for 8:30 PM ET on ABC (subject to network and local time considerations) [sources referencing the finalized schedule include major outlets reporting the June 3 start and June 19 potential end date] .
Notes and context
- The Finals format remains best-of-seven, with a travel day between cities and a traditional two-day or one-day rest pattern adjusted to the 2026 schedule, though the opening sequence starts on a Wednesday rather than the more common Thursday in recent years .
- There is a notable change for 2026: no Sunday games in the Finals, marking a departure from recent seasons; if a Game 7 is required, it would be on a Friday (June 19) .
If you’d like, I can pull the exact game-by-game dates and times in a compact table for quick reference, or tailor the information to your time zone in Buffalo (US Eastern).