ABC & ESPN Combine to Carry up to 44 Postseason Games Culminating with the NBA Finals

Defending NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers Begin Title Defense on Saturday

Star-Studded Golden State Warriors Begin Playoff Campaign on Sunday

Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson & Lisa Salters to Call Two Games in 24 Hours

The 2017 NBA Playoffs will start with five games across ABC and ESPN this weekend, beginning Saturday, April 15, when the defending NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James host the Indiana Pacers and Paul George at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. In addition, the star-studded Golden State Warriors – led by Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry – will open their playoff campaign by hosting the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard on ABC this Sunday, April 16, at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The longest-tenured NBA Finals broadcast team – Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson – will provide commentary for these two games in 24 hours this weekend, with reporter Lisa Salters. In total, ABC and ESPN will combine to televise up to 44 NBA postseason games, including exclusive coverage of this season’s Western Conference Finals on ESPN and culminating with exclusive coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC in June.

ESPN’s Saturday Game 1 Tripleheader

ESPN will televise an NBA Playoffs Game 1 tripleheader on Saturday, April 15. Coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Toronto Raptors, with commentary from Ryan Ruocco, analyst Doris Burke and reporter Cassidy Hubbarth. At 8 p.m., the San Antonio Spurs will host the Memphis Grizzlies with Mark Jones, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown and reporter Israel Gutierrez on commentary. The tripleheader concludes with a 10:30 p.m. matchup between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz with Dave Pasch, analyst Doug Collins and J.A. Adande calling the action. (Full early schedule in grid below).

NBA Countdown & The Jump during the NBA Playoffs

NBA Countdown – ABC’s and ESPN’s NBA pre-game show – will provide pre-game and halftime coverage throughout the NBA Playoffs, generally 30 minutes prior to tip-off. Michelle Beadle, in her first postseason as NBA Countdown host, will be joined by analysts Jalen Rose and Chauncey Billups. NBA Countdown presented by Straight Talk Wireless airs on ABC this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and this Sunday at 3 p.m.

The Jump, hosted by Rachel Nichols, will continue its daily presence throughout the postseason, with shows Monday through Friday on ESPN at 3 p.m. Nichols will be joined by a cast of commentators, including Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady.

ESPN’s NBA Playoffs coverage will begin with the NBA Playoffs Preview Special presented by Kia, hosted by Rachel Nichols, on ESPN2 this Friday, April 14, at 7 p.m.

All NBA game and studio telecasts are also available to be streamed via the ESPN app.

ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes and ESPN International platforms will also have extensive coverage of the NBA Playoffs, including the NBA Finals. Additional information will be forthcoming.

 NBA Playoffs on ABC & ESPN

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Media contacts: Ben Cafardo at 860-766-3496 or [email protected]. On Twitter: @Ben_ESPN;

Gianina Thompson at 860-766-7022 or [email protected]. On Twitter: @Gianina_ESPN.