When do the NBA Finals start this season? 

The 2024 NBA playoffs are in full swing with the first couple games of the first round already played. Even though it might still seem far away, it is time to start thinking about this year’s NBA Finals and the crowning of a new league champion. 

Will the Denver Nuggets repeat? Can the Boston Celtics finally get over the hump and secure a title? Can the young Oklahoma City Thunder prove themselves in the playoffs? Will the Clippers’ veteran star power win out over the youth and athleticism on some other teams? Despite the fact that the Sacramento Kings have already been eliminated from the playoffs, there are still plenty of things to watch for all basketball fans and exciting games to be played. 

When are the 2024 NBA Finals? 

The NBA Finals will start with Game 1 scheduled for Thursday, June 6, this season. After that, the schedule will look as follows:

Game 2: Sunday, June 9

Game 3: Wednesday, June 12

Game 4: Friday, June 14

Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, June 17

Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, June 20

Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 23

Where can I watch the NBA Finals?

This year’s NBA finals will be aired on ABC, the exclusive broadcaster. Games can generally also be watched on the NBA APP. 

Which teams are the current favorites to make the NBA Finals?

Currently, the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets are the favorites to make the NBA Finals this season. This is not especially surprising, as both teams finished at the top of their respective conferences. 

Other teams, like the Thunder, Timberwolves, Clippers, Mavericks, Knicks, and Bucks, have solid cases as well, though, depending on player health and future matchups. 

When was the last time the Sacramento Kings made it to the NBA Finals?

The last time the Kings, still named Rochester Royals at that time,  made the NBA Finals was in the 1950-51 season. Led by Arnie Risen, Bob Davies, Jack Coleman, and Bobby Wanzer, the team beat the Knicks 4-3. 

Since then, the Kings made it to the Western Conference Finals a few times, most recently in the 2001-2002 season, but have yet to return to the finals. To build that kind of contender in the current Western Conference will take plenty of work from the front office.