Pacers-Thunder Lock In for 2025 NBA Finals; Mike Breen Leads Broadcast Team for ABC’s 20th Straight Call

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The 2025 NBA Finals are officially set: it’s the Indiana Pacers vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, with ABC once again handling exclusive coverage of the championship series starting Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

This year’s matchup brings together two of the league’s fastest-rising franchises. The Pacers, led by All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, return to the Finals stage for the first time since 2000. The Thunder, powered by reigning NBA M.V.P. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are making their first appearance since the Kevin Durant era.

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On the broadcast side, Mike Breen is back to call his record-extending 20th NBA Finals. He’s joined by Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson, who make their debut as a Finals commentary duo. Lisa Salters returns to the sidelines for her fifth Finals run.

NBA Countdown Presented by DoorDash will be live on-site before every game, and ESPN Radio will mark its 30th consecutive Finals with national coverage. Surrounding content includes NBA Today, Hoop Streams, and Hoop Collective, all broadcasting from the Finals venues.

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This year’s production package is ESPN’s most ambitious yet. Viewers can expect 46 cameras—including 16 super slo-mos—plus cinematic lenses, 4K zooms, spatial and mobile mics, and real-time 3D shot charts, all designed to dial up the drama.

ABC has held exclusive rights to the NBA Finals since 2003.

Paul Mills is Senior News Editor at MemorableTV.com, covering high-impact TV developments across the US, UK, and Australia. From renewals and cancellations to strategic shifts in programming and platform priorities, Paul’s reporting is fast, factual, and built for industry relevance. He leads with the news—and always writes with the next quarter in mind.