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Starting 5, June 1: 5 storylines to know for 2024 NBA Finals – NBA.com
Dive into Celtics-Mavs Finals with key storylines, practice access & more. Plus, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup & BAL Championship.
What’s going on Starting 5 fam!
Today, we’re looking at some of the top stories heading into the NBA Finals (June 6, 8:30 ET on ABC). And as we do, we want to know … what stories are you looking forward to most?
For now, KG, how many sleeps left til the Finals tip?
THE LINEUP 🏀
Top Storylines: With five days before Game 1, we have five storylines you need to know
Celtics Media Day: Hear what Boston’s coaches and players had to say about the Finals
Conference Finals Photos: Look back at our favorite frames from last round
Commissioner’s Cup: College rivals Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese open the W’s in-season competition
BAL Championship Preview: Everything you need to know before today’s title game
BUT FIRST …
The Boston Celtics meet with the media today at 11:30 ET, live in the NBA App / NBA.com.
On June 1, 1979, the Seattle SuperSonics captured their only NBA title with a Game 5 win over Washington.
On June 1, 2021, Damian Lillard splashed an NBA playoff-record 12 3s while scoring a playoff career-high 55 points in Portland’s loss to Denver in Game 5 of the first round.
1. FIVE EARLY FINALS STORYLINES
The 2024 NBA Finals features a matchup of a dominant team from start to finish in Boston and another, in Dallas, that found its stride after making key moves at the trade deadline.
Both paths led them to the Finals stage, with Game 1 set for Thursday, June 6 on ABC.
We have five days to dig into every aspect of this series, but let’s begin with five of the biggest storylines you need to know.
1. Superstar Duos Lead The Way
2. Key Acquisitions
3. Making Their Own History
The Mavs (.591) & Celtics (.567) are two of the three winningest teams since the 1999-00 season, with both teams only trailing the Spurs (.635).
4. Shooting Their Shot
5. Coaching Clash
The head coaches in these series have very different resumes but have guided their teams to the verge of a championship.
2. CELTICS MEET THE MEDIA
The Final Challenger: Four days after ousting the Pacers in the East Finals, the Celtics met with the media to discuss their next opponent — the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mindset: With a title hanging in the balance, Boston — playing in its second Finals in three years — is preparing for a battle.
Porzingis Update: Just minutes into his press conference, Mazzulla was asked about the status of Kristaps Porzingis, Boston’s third-leading scorer in the regular season, who hopes to return from a calf injury suffered in Game 4 of the First Round.
Containing Kyrie & Luka: Another hot topic was how Boston plans to slow down Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving — who averaged 32.4 and 27.0 points per game in the West Finals, respectively.
No Texas Two-Step: Despite Irving & Doncic’s production, the Celtics know Dallas is more than a two-man show and will test the East champs’ flexibility and fortitude.
3. CONFERENCE FINALS LOOKBACK 📸
Snapshot: Luka’s stepback, Brown’s double bang, Ant’s slam, Nembhard’s night… relive the action with the best photos from the 2024 Conference Finals.
4. COLLEGE RIVALS CLASH TO OPEN WNBA COMMISSIONER’S CUP
After memorable matchups in the 2023 national championship game and the 2024 NCAA Final Four, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese meet for the first time in the WNBA to open the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase today (12 ET, ESPN).
What Is The Commissioner’s Cup? The fourth annual WNBA in-season competition debuts a new format for 2024:
Top Storylines: What’s stood out from the first two-plus weeks of the 2024 WNBA season?
5. BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE FINALS SET TO CROWN NEW CHAMP
The Fourth Finals: The 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Championship Game tips off today between Al Ahly Ly and Petro de Luanda in Kigali, Rwanda, where a first-time champion will be crowned.
Postseason Suspense: The BAL Playoffs have produced upsets, buzzer-beaters, and OT thrillers — and the drama culminates at 10 am ET (NBA App, NBA.com).
Back Again: Petro de Luanda — the No. 6 seed and Angolan champions — returns to the BAL Finals for the second time in three years, looking to avenge their loss in the 2022 title game.
Inaugural Appearance: Al Ahly Ly — the No. 7 seed and Libyan champions — are making their Finals debut in their first BAL season.
Friday Doubleheader: A collection of young talent took over yesterday’s BAL Elevate Showcase prior to the Playoff’s bronze medal game between Rivers Hoopers and Cape Town.
See the storylines and 1 thing each team needs to keep an eye on heading into the 2024 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV.
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See the storylines and 1 thing each team needs to keep an eye on heading into the 2024 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV.
From NBA TV analyst Greg Anthony to NBA.com scribe Shaun Powell, see who our TNT Sports experts are picking in the Finals.
As the Celtics and Mavs prepare to meet in the 2024 NBA Finals, look back at their matchups from the regular season.
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman updates his 2024 Mock Draft with predictions for all 58 picks after early entry withdrawals.
After winning his 2nd NBA title as an assistant, Charles Lee gets his 1st opportunity to be a head coach at any level.
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Relembrando todas as edições de Draft da NBA desde 1947 até hoje
20-year NBA veteran Jamal Crawford answers 20 questions on the Draft, free agency and Boston's championship.
Kristaps Porzingis will miss Latvia's Olympic campaign to have surgery for an injury suffered during the NBA Finals.
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