The hunt for the Larry O’Brien Trophy is basically the only thing basketball fans can talk about once the calendar hits January. We’re currently in the thick of the 2025-26 regular season, but if you’re looking ahead to the absolute peak of the sport, you’re likely wondering when is the next game for the NBA finals and how the schedule actually shakes out this year.
Right now, we are about five months away from the tip-off of the championship series. According to the official league calendar, the 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 4, 2026. If the series goes the distance, we’re looking at a Game 7 on June 21 or June 22.
It feels like a lifetime away, but the way the standings are shifting, every Tuesday night game in January is starting to feel like a play-in preview.
The Projected 2026 NBA Finals Schedule
While the league fine-tunes exact tip times based on TV windows (shoutout to the new broadcast partners like Amazon Prime and NBC joining the fray alongside ESPN/ABC), the structure is pretty set.
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Here is how the dates are currently falling:
- Game 1: Thursday, June 4
- Game 2: Sunday, June 7
- Game 3: Wednesday, June 10
- Game 4: Friday, June 12
- Game 5 (If needed): Monday, June 15
- Game 6 (If needed): Thursday, June 18
- Game 7 (If needed): Sunday, June 21 or Monday, June 22
Keep in mind, these dates are "penciled in" until the Conference Finals wrap up. If both the East and West series end in sweeps, the NBA occasionally moves the start date up, though they usually prefer the Thursday night tradition for Game 1.
Who Is Actually In The Running Right Now?
Looking at the current standings as of mid-January 2026, the league is upside down. The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently sitting atop the Western Conference with a dominant 34-7 record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing like he's already won the MVP, and the betting odds reflect that—they're currently the heavy favorites at +110 to be playing in that first June game.
Over in the East, the Detroit Pistons have been the shock of the season. They’re sitting at 28-10, holding off a surging New York Knicks team that finally looks like the powerhouse Madison Square Garden has been begging for.
Honestly, a Knicks vs. Thunder Finals would be a ratings goldmine. You have the grit of New York versus the terrifying efficiency of OKC’s young core. But don't sleep on the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is still Nikola Jokic, and they’re sitting comfortably in the second seed, just waiting for the playoffs to start so they can flip the switch.
The Road To June: Key Postseason Dates
You can't just jump straight to the Finals. There's a whole gauntlet of games before we get to the championship series. If you’re tracking the path, mark these on your calendar:
- Regular Season Ends: April 12, 2026.
- SoFi Play-In Tournament: April 14–17, 2026. This is where the 7th through 10th seeds fight for those final two spots.
- NBA Playoffs Begin: April 18, 2026.
- Conference Semifinals: Starting around May 5.
- Conference Finals: Scheduled to tip off roughly May 20.
Why This Year Feels Different
There’s a weird bit of scheduling overlap this year that has some fans worried. The 2026 FIFA World Cup actually kicks off on June 11, right in the middle of the NBA Finals.
It’s going to be a wild time for sports. You’ve got Game 3 of the Finals happening basically at the same time as the opening matches of the World Cup. For the NBA, this means they’ll likely try to keep the Finals games in the evening slots to avoid clashing with the afternoon soccer matches.
Getting Tickets for the Finals
If you’re planning on being there in person, start saving now. Tickets for the 2026 Finals are expected to be some of the most expensive in history, especially if a "big market" team like the Knicks or Lakers makes the cut.
For a sense of scale, Lakers tickets for a Finals game can easily start at $1,000 for the "nosebleeds." If the series heads to a place like Oklahoma City or San Antonio, you might find slightly better deals, but "cheap" isn't a word that exists in the Finals vocabulary.
Actionable Steps for NBA Fans
The road to the Finals is long, but you can stay ahead of the curve.
- Sync your calendar: Add the June 4 start date to your phone now so you don't accidentally book a vacation during Game 1.
- Monitor the injury report: In 2026, depth is everything. Keep an eye on the health of second-tier stars; they usually decide who survives the second round.
- Check local listings: With the new TV deals in full swing, make sure your streaming services (Peacock, Amazon Prime, and ESPN+) are updated, as the broadcast rights are split differently this season than in years past.
The 2026 NBA Finals are shaping up to be a transition of power in the league. Whether it's the Thunder finally claiming their throne or a veteran squad like the Nuggets or Celtics holding the line, June 4 is the date when it all becomes real.