If you’re staring at your TV right now wondering what time does the nba finals start tonight, I have some news that might sting a little. You aren't going to find a championship game on your local ABC affiliate this evening.
Seriously.
We are currently in the thick of the regular season. Specifically, today is January 18, 2026. While the energy around the league is high—especially with the London Game between the Magic and Grizzlies happening across the pond—we are still months away from the Larry O'Brien trophy being hauled out of its velvet case.
The Real 2026 NBA Finals Schedule
The 2025-26 NBA season is an absolute marathon, and we haven't even hit the All-Star break in Los Angeles yet. If you are looking for the big dance, mark your calendars for June 4, 2026. That is the official tip-off date for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
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Most people get the timing mixed up because the "NBA Cup" (the in-season tournament) just wrapped up in December. The New York Knicks actually took that one home, beating the San Antonio Spurs in a game that felt like a playoff atmosphere but wasn't the "real" Finals.
Why the Confusion?
It happens every year. Fans see "Championship" or "Finals" in headlines during the winter and think they’ve missed the boat. Here is the actual roadmap for the rest of this year so you don’t get caught off guard again:
- April 12, 2026: The regular season ends.
- April 14–17, 2026: The Play-In Tournament (the "chaos" bracket).
- April 18, 2026: The actual NBA Playoffs begin.
- June 4, 2026: The NBA Finals finally start.
Honestly, the NBA schedule is kinda grueling. We’ve got players logging 82 games before they even think about the postseason. Right now, the Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting pretty at the top of the West, while the Detroit Pistons—yes, the Pistons—have actually become a force to be reckoned with in the East.
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What’s Actually On Tonight?
Since you came here looking for a game, you shouldn't leave empty-handed. There is a full slate of regular-season action tonight.
If you’re in Denver, you’ve got the Nuggets hosting the Charlotte Hornets at Ball Arena. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET. It’s a weird one because Nikola Jokic is sidelined with a knee issue, so Jamal Murray is basically carrying the entire state of Colorado on his back right now.
Over in Chicago, the Bulls are taking on the Brooklyn Nets at 7:00 PM ET. It might not be the Finals, but with the Eastern Conference standings being as tight as they are, every one of these mid-January games actually matters for seeding.
Watching the London Game
The biggest highlight of today is actually the NBA London Game 2026. The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies are facing off at The O2 Arena. Because of the time difference, that game is a weird broadcast for us in the States, but it's the kind of international flair the league loves these days.
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How to Prepare for the June Finals
When we actually get to June 4, the start times are usually pretty predictable. The NBA almost always leans into an 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM ET start time to make sure the West Coast fans can get home from work in time to see the opening tip.
You’ll want to make sure your YouTube TV or Hulu + Live Sports subscriptions are active because the Finals will be broadcast on ABC and NBC (thanks to the new media rights deal).
What you should do next:
Instead of looking for the Finals tonight, check the local listings for the Nuggets vs. Hornets or the Lakers vs. Raptors. The Lakers are finally healthy, and watching LeBron James in his 23rd season is still something you kinda have to see to believe. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for the All-Star Game coming up in February at the Intuit Dome—that’s usually when the real contenders start to show their teeth.
Keep those June dates saved. The real hunt for a ring is still a few months away.