The 2026 NBA Finals are set to tip off on June 3, and the excitement is building as the playoffs heat up this May. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are once again looking dominant, but they'll have to battle through a tough Western Conference bracket to defend their title. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference is wide open, with several teams making strong pushes.
While we don't know the exact matchup yet, we can tell you exactly when and where to watch. The full Finals schedule will be released after the second round concludes, so stay tuned for updates.
Here's a quick look at the first-round action so far, with some series already wrapped up and others heading to thrilling Game 7s:
Eastern Conference First Round
- Magic vs. Pistons: Orlando leads 3-2, with Game 6 in Detroit on Friday (7 p.m. ET, Amazon). Game 7 would be Sunday in Orlando.
- Celtics vs. 76ers: The series is tied 3-3, forcing a decisive Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.
- Knicks vs. Hawks: New York closed it out in six games, winning 140-89 in Game 6 to advance.
- Cavaliers vs. Raptors: Cleveland leads 3-2, with Game 6 in Toronto on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video).
Western Conference First Round
- Thunder vs. Suns: Oklahoma City swept Phoenix 4-0, including a dominant 131-122 win in Game 4.
- Spurs vs. Trail Blazers: San Antonio took the series 4-1, closing it out with a 114-95 victory in Game 5.
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: Minnesota leads 3-2, with Game 6 in Denver on Thursday (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
The road to the Larry O'Brien Trophy is already delivering drama and upsets. Whether you're rooting for a repeat from the Thunder or a new champion, make sure you're geared up in your team's colors as the Finals approach. Which matchup are you hoping to see in June?
