How to Watch the 2024 NBA Finals Without Cable

With the 2024 NBA Finals approaching, fans are gearing up to watch the Boston Celtics face off against the Dallas Mavericks. 

Whether you’re a cord-cutter or just looking for flexible viewing options, I’ve got you covered. 

The 2024 NBA Finals will see the Boston Celtics, aiming for their 18th championship, against the Dallas Mavericks, who are seeking their second title. Here’s how you can catch all the action without a cable subscription.

2024 NBA Finals Broadcast Schedule

All NBA Finals games will be broadcast exclusively on ABC and simulcast on ESPN3. Here’s the complete schedule:

• Game 1: Thursday, June 6, 8 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN3
• Game 2: Sunday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN3
• Game 3: Wednesday, June 12, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN3
• Game 4: Friday, June 14, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN3
• Game 5: Monday, June 17, 8 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN3 (if necessary)
• Game 6: Thursday, June 20, 8 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN3 (if necessary)
• Game 7: Sunday, June 23, 8 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN3 (if necessary)

How to Watch or Stream the 2024 NBA Finals

For those who have cut the cord from cable TV, there are several ways to watch or stream the 2024 NBA Finals.

Use a TV Antenna

One of the most affordable ways to watch the NBA Finals on ABC is by using a digital TV antenna. 

ABC broadcasts over the air, which means you can watch the games for free if you have an antenna. A good TV antenna will pick up the signal if you live within 30 to 40 miles of broadcast towers. You can use the free tool at AntennasDirect to check if ABC is available in your area. 

The FCC’s DTV Reception Map website is a good source as well. A one-time purchase of a quality antenna will give you access to ABC and other local channels in high definition.

ESPN App for ESPN3 Access

If you have access to ESPN3, you can also watch the games using the ESPN app. 

ESPN3 will simulcast all NBA Finals games, according to Sling TV. However, it’s worth noting that the simulcast will rely on the Skycam feed and not the national broadcast feed. I verified this by signing into the ESPN app using my Sling TV account, which does not include ABC. Here is the photo from the app verifying the game after I logged in.

To access the Skycam feed, download the ESPN app on your streaming device or mobile device, log in with your TV provider credentials, and select ESPN3 to watch the live broadcast. This option is great for those who already have ESPN3 access through their internet or TV provider.

Streaming Services That Carry ABC

Here is a quick look at free trials, monthly pricee, and key channels.

Service	Free Trial	Monthly Price	Key Channels
Fubo	7 days	$79.99	ABC, ESPN, NBA TV
DIRECTV STREAM	5 days	$79.99	ABC, ESPN, TNT
Hulu + Live TV	3 days	$76.99	ABC, ESPN, TNT, ESPN+, Disney+
Sling TV	Discounted first month	$40	ABC (select markets)
YouTube TV	7 days	$72.99	ABC, ESPN, TNT, 128+ other channels

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM, formerly known as AT&T TV, offers a solid package for sports fans. 

The Entertainment plan costs $79.99 per month and includes over 75 channels such as ABC, ESPN, and TNT. DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day free trial. 

If you want NBA TV and regional sports networks, you can opt for the Choice package, which has over 105 channels for $108.99 per month. 

The service includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and access to 40,000 on-demand titles. You can watch live TV on an unlimited number of screens within your home. DIRECTV STREAM works on various devices including Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, smartphones, and tablets.

Fubo

Fubo is a sports-centric streaming package that includes ESPN networks and ABC. 

For $79.99 per month, the Pro plan includes 192 channels, such as ABC, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, and NBA TV, though it lacks TNT. 

You can track down upcoming games for specific sports under the ‘Sports’ tab on the main menu. For fans who want more streaming services, you can now get Paramount Plus with Showtime as part of the Premier plan for $99.99 per month.

Fubo has a 7-day free trial. Subscribers now get unlimited Cloud DVR storage and can watch on up to 10 screens at once. You can also activate more than 40 apps for channels included in your lineup. FuboTV works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, and Android devices.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu with Live TV has a mix of live channels and on-demand content for $76.99 per month. This includes ABC, ESPN, TNT, and more than 90 other channels. 

The service also comes with full access to ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu’s on-demand library. Hulu + Live TV has a 3-day free trial. 

Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR storage and can watch on up to two screens at once. Hulu Live TV works on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation, and Smart TVs.

Sling TV

Sling TV is one of the more affordable options for streaming the NBA Finals. 

The Sling Orange plan costs $40 per month and includes ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT. In select markets, you can also get ABC. If you already have Sling Orange, you should use your credentials to see if you get access to ESPN3 to stream simulcasts of the NBA Finals. 

For a more comprehensive package, you can combine Sling Orange and Blue for $55 per month. Sling TV offers 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage. With Sling Orange, you can watch on one screen at a time. 

Sling TV works on Roku, Fire TV, Xbox One, AirTV Player, and mobile devices.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV provides a wide range of channels for $72.99 per month. The lineup includes ABC, ESPN, TNT, and about 128 other channels. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR storage and can watch on up to three screens at once. YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial. The service works on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Smart TVs, and gaming consoles.

Watching the NBA Finals in 2024

There are plenty of ways to watch the 2024 NBA Finals without cable. Whether you use a streaming service or a TV antenna, you can watch the games live. Choose the best option based on your needs and enjoy the Finals.