The highly anticipated NBA Finals is finally approaching, with the first game between the Western Conference Champion Dallas Mavericks and the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics taking place on June 6. There are multiple storylines in this showdown. The Celtics are seeking their 18th championship, which would pass the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in the association. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are looking for their second championship, the first coming in 2011 with Dirk Nowitzki and company.
Regardless of who wins, a superstar will be getting their first ring. The Celtics’ duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have yet to win one, despite their playoff success, and Dallas’ Luka Doncic is making his first NBA Finals appearance at age 25. Not to mention, stars Kyrie Irving and Kristaps Porzingis used to be on the respective opposing teams, but each player's stint didn't end on the best terms.
It should be a highly entertaining series, but fans will have to wait a while between games. For instance, even though the first two games are in Boston, the teams’ first game is on Thursday, with the next not being until Sunday.
2024 NBA Finals schedule
Game 1
Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics
Thursday, June 6
8:30 PM ET
ABC
Game 2
Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics
Sunday, June 9
8:00 PM ET
ABC
Game 3
Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks
Wednesday, June 12
8:30 PM ET
ABC
Game 4
Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks
Friday, June 14
8:30 PM ET
ABC
Game 5 (if necessary)
Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics
Monday, June 17
8:30 PM ET
ABC
Game 6 (if necessary)
Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks
Thursday, June 20
8:30 PM ET
ABC
Game 7 (if necessary)
Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics
Sunday, June 23
8:00 PM ET
ABC
It should be a competitive series; the Celtics have dominated all season with the best record in the league at 64-18. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are playing much better than their 50-32 regular season record indicates. It’s unsurprising to see them in the Finals, given their end-of-season success after the impactful trade deadline acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.