When do the NBA Finals start?

The 2023 NBA playoffs begin on Saturday, April 15, with 16 teams competing for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Here’s when the NBA Finals start.

Last year, the Golden State Warriors returned to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2019, and they won the sixth title in franchise history. They did it by beating the Boston Celtics in six games. Now, basketball fans are waiting to see what this year’s NBA Finals will look like and who will try to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the playoffs.

With the end of the Play-In Tournament on Friday, April 15, it is officially the start of the NBA Playoffs. 16 teams will compete for the chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the playoffs. But first they have to get through the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals of their respective conferences. Once they do, they will officially earn their spot in the NBA Finals.

For those wondering when the NBA Finals start, we’ve got you covered.

When do the NBA Finals start?

The official start date for the NBA Finals is Thursday, June 1. Home court advantage goes to the team with the best regular season record. All games will be televised on ABC.

Below is the full seven-game schedule if you need it. The start time for each match will be determined closer to the event.

• Game 1: Thursday, June 1
• Game 2: Sunday June 4
• Game 3: Wednesday, June 7
• Game 4: Friday June 9
• Game 5 (if necessary): Monday June 12
• Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday June 15
• Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday June 18

Now let’s take a look at the complete NBA playoff schedule via the league’s official website:

• First round: Saturday, April 15
• Conference Semifinals: May 1 and 2 (possible replacement date April 29 and 30)
• Conference Finals: May 16-17 (can be changed to May 14-15)
• NBA Finals: June 1

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