Jun 20, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry holds the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy during the Warriors championship parade in downtown San Francisco. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, ESPN announced a welcome change to the NBA Finals on ABC this June.

Per a release from the company, weeknight NBA Finals games will start at 8:30 PM ET as opposed to 9 PM ET. The weekend games (Games 2 and a potential Game 7) will retain their 8 PM ET start time.

Each game will also have a half hour edition of NBA Countdown on ABC prior to the tip.

Here’s the full schedule for the seven games.

  • Game 1: Thursday, June 1st, 8:30 PM ET
  • Game 2: Sunday, June 4th, 8 PM ET
  • Game 3: Wednesday, June 7th, 8:30 PM ET
  • Game 4: Friday, June 9th, 8:30 PM ET
  • Game 5: Monday, June 12th, 8:30 PM ET
  • Game 6: Thursday, June 15th, 8:30 PM ET
  • Game 7: Sunday, June 18th, 8 PM ET

Last year, Jason Clinkscales wrote an article for AA discussing the late start times for the NBA Finals and how there’s no excuse for starting that late after watching the NHL Stanley Cup Final start earlier in the evening. A half hour isn’t a massive shift, but for a lot of people, it will be enough.

[ESPN]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.