The Boston Celtics are headed back to the NBA Finals.
The No. 1 overall seed in the 2024 playoffs booked a second Finals appearance in three years on Monday. The Celtics, who eliminated both the No. 8 Miami Heat and No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, needed just four games to get past the No. 6 Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Following a 64-win regular season, the Celtics have dropped just two playoff games and are yet to lose on the road in the postseason. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Co. are now just four wins away from the franchise's 18th championship.
The Celtics will have to go through the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks in order to capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
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Dallas eliminated the No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers and No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder in six games each before finishing off the No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves with a gentleman's sweep.
Here's what to know about the 2024 Finals:
When do the NBA Finals start?
The Celtics will have nine days off between games as the 2024 Finals aren't slated to start until Thursday, June 6. Dallas will have a week off.
What is the NBA Finals schedule?
Here's the full 2024 Finals schedule (* = if necessary):
- Game 1: Mavericks at Celtics -- Thursday, June 6, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2: Mavericks at Celtics -- Sunday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET
- Game 3: Celtics at Mavericks -- Wednesday, June 12, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 4: Celtics at Mavericks -- Friday, June 14 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 5*: Mavericks at Celtics -- Monday, June 17, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 6*: Celtics at Mavericks -- Thursday, June 20, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 7*: Mavericks at Celtics -- Sunday, June 23, 8 p.m. ET
Who gets home court in the NBA Finals?
The Celtics will have home-court advantage in the Finals over Dallas as Boston finished with the NBA's top regular-season record.
Where to watch and stream the NBA Finals
ABC will broadcast all Finals contests. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
