NBA moves 2026 Finals to Wednesday‑Friday opening; Game 7 could be June 19

Cbssports reports the NBA has altered the 2026 Finals schedule, shifting the first four games to a Wednesday‑Friday‑Monday‑Wednesday pattern beginning June 3. The published schedule sets Game 1 for Wednesday, June 3; Game 2 for Friday, June 5; Game 3 for Monday, June 8; Game 4 for Wednesday, June 10; Game 5 for Saturday, June 13 (if necessary); Game 6 for Tuesday, June 16 (if necessary); and Game 7 for Friday, June 19 (if necessary).

Moving to a Wednesday‑Friday‑Monday‑Wednesday start means less wait between early games and could allow a Game 7 on June 19, which would provide more time before the NBA Draft, which typically occurs toward the end of the month. Last season's Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers came only 72 hours prior to Cooper Flagg going No.

1 overall in the draft. League commissioner Adam Silver said last June the NBA is considering a return of the giant midcourt Finals logos for 2026 after doing away with them in 2014. By Game 2 of the OKC‑Indiana series in 2025 the league used digital graphics on the court and drew strong negative reaction; Silver said, "To be honest, I hadn't thought all that much about it until I [saw] it [on social media].

Key Topics

Sports, Nba, Adam Silver, Nba Draft, Cooper Flagg, Oklahoma City Thunder