The Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks will battle it out for the NBA Championship, and hoops fans can see every moment of the NBA Finals live on ESPN.
A compelling NBA Finals awaits, and this year’s edition looks set to be one for the history books, with Game 1 beginning Wednesday July 7 on ESPN at 11am AEST.
Both the Suns and Bucks are looking to end a long Championship drought for their respective franchises.
Phoenix have never won the NBA Championship, and have not been to the NBA Finals for 28 years. 1976 and 1993 are the only times the Suns have previously reached this point of the season.
The Suns have claimed some impressive scalps on their way to the finals, eliminating the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.
Stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker will be crucial in helping Phoenix claim that elusive NBA Championship.
Milwaukee have had to wait even longer for a trip back to the NBA Finals.
This year is their first visit since 1974, with the Bucks one and only NBA Championship coming in 1971.
Milwaukee are still unsure as to how much action their own star, Giannis Antetokounmpo will see in the NBA Finals.
After hyperextending his knee against the Hawks in Game 4 of the Conference Finals, it was thought that Giannis’ season was over. However, the Bucks remain hopeful the Greek star may yet play a part in the championship playoff.
In his absence, Milwaukee will turn to Kris Middleton and Jrue Holliday, as they look to show they are a force all over the court, even without Antetokounmpo.
The Suns prevailed both times the two sides met this season, but the NBA post-season is an entirely different beast, and hoops fans will know that anything can happen.
Every game from the best of seven series will be live on ESPN Australia New Zealand.
ESPN will once again have full replays and dedicated NBA Mini’s available on demand, so that NBA fans can consume all the NBA Finals action in their own style.
NBA Finals on ESPN
Wednesday July 7
11am AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 1), ESPN
5.15pm AEST, NBA Mini: Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 1), ESPN
7.30pm AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 1), ESPN (Replay)
Friday July 9
11am AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 2), ESPN
6.45pm AEST, NBA Mini: Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 2), ESPN
9.30pm AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 2), ESPN (Replay)
Monday July 12
10am AEST, Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 3), ESPN
6.15pm AEST, NBA Mini: Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 3), ESPN
8.30pm AEST, Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 3), ESPN (Replay)
Thursday July 15
11am AEST, Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 4), ESPN
6.45pm AEST, NBA Mini: Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 4), ESPN
9.00pm AEST, Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 4), ESPN (Replay)
Sunday July 18
11am AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 5*), ESPN
7.15pm AEST, NBA Mini: Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 5*), ESPN
9.30pm AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 5*), ESPN (Replay)
Wednesday July 21
11am AEST, Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 6*), ESPN
6.45pm AEST, NBA Mini: Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 6*), ESPN
9.00pm AEST, Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 6*), ESPN (Replay)
Friday July 23
11am AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 7*), ESPN
6.45pm AEST, NBA Mini: Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 7*), ESPN
9.00pm AEST, Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Game 7*), ESPN (Replay)
*Will only be played if needed
*Schedule subject to change
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and SKY NZ.