Finally, the wait is over. The championship showdown between the Celtics and Mavericks is here.
Boston is back in the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons, having swept the Eastern Conference with relative ease. The Celtics have lost just twice in this year’s playoffs and swept the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Their success came without Kristaps Porzingis, as the 7-2 center missed the last five weeks with a right calf strain. But Porzingis is expected to rejoin the rotation for Game 1, sliding into a formidable lineup that already features Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Dallas swept the Western Conference en route to the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance since 2011. Their tantalizing one-two punch of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving has sent opposing defenses into fits, particularly late in games. And stories abound about Irving, who spent two successful but tumultuous years with Boston early in his career.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NBA Finals, including the start time of Game 1 between the Celtics and Mavericks.
What time are the NBA Finals tonight?
- Date: Thursday June 6
- Time: 8:30 pm ET | 7:30 pm central time
Game 1 of the NBA Finals will begin around 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 6. The game will be played at TD Garden in Boston.
What channel is Celtics vs. Mavericks tonight?
- Television channel: ABC
- Live broadcast: Sling
Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals will air nationally on ABC. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Doris Burke (color analyst) and JJ Redick (color analyst) will have the call, with Lisa Salters serving as sideline reporter. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling.
Sling is the home for sports fans, offering a wide range of channels. You can always cheer on your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
Celtics vs. Mavericks Radio Station
- Radio channel: SiriusXM channels 86 and 212
Listen to Game 1 of Celtics vs. Mavericks and every game of the 2024 NBA Finals live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channels 86 and 212.
Get 3 months of SiriusXM for just $1. Listen to live games from the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay up to date with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sports-specific channels.
NBA Finals 2024 Schedule
Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 are scheduled to be played at TD Garden in Boston. The series will move to the American Airlines Center in Dallas for Games 3, 4 and 6.
(1) Celtics vs. (5) Mavericks
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/live broadcast |
| June 6th | Game 1 | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 9 | Game 2 | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 12 | Game 3 | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 14th | Game 4 | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 17 | 5* game | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 20th | Game 6* | 8:30 pm | ABC, Sling |
| June 23 | Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
*If necessary
2024 NBA playoff bracket
