When do the 2023 NBA finals start?

The 2023 NBA Finals are upon us, with Game 1 of the championship matchup slated for Thursday, June 1.

The Denver Nuggets, who are set to face the Miami Heat, are coming into the Finals after sweeping the LA Lakers in the West finals, punching their first-ever ticket to the NBA Finals. The Heat, meanwhile, currently hold a 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics in the East finals and have them on the brink of elimination.

If Miami wins that series, Game 1 of the NBA Finals would be in Denver at Ball Arena. On the other hand, if Boston makes a historic comeback and wins the series, they would have home-court advantage for Game 1.

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NBA Finals schedule

Since 2003, the Finals have been a best-of-seven series, like all four rounds of the NBA playoffs. However, they feature a 2-2-1-1-1 format, which means the team with the better record hosts Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, while the other team hosts Games 3, 4, and 6.

Here are the dates and times for all possible games in the Finals:

Game 1: Thursday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 2: Sunday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET on

Game 3: Wednesday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 4: Friday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 5: Monday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 6: Thursday, June 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 7: Sunday, June 18 at 8 p.m. ET