Getty Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry
While it’s been a brutally tough stretch with no games for fans of the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors, the drought without basketball is nearly over. The 2019 NBA Playoffs have been exciting, but there is no game Wednesday, May 29, which is the fourth consecutive day without action.
Due to both the Warriors and Raptors finishing off their semifinal matchups before the seven-game mark, it’s led to a longer layoff than seen in some other years. Golden State will have a full nine days off before the championship gets underway, thanks to their clean sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals.
Even the Raptors, who went to six games with the Milwaukee Bucks, will receive five days off before taking on the Warriors. It’s good news for both sides, as it gives them a bit more time to get healthy and rested before the push to take home the title begins.
We’re going to take a look at the NBA Finals schedule while breaking down the latest storylines and news ahead of the action.
NBA Finals Schedule: Dates, Times & TV Coverage
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is slated to begin on Thursday, May 30 and will be played in Toronto. This stems from the fact that the Raptors (58-24) had a slightly better regular-season record than the Warriors (57-25).
Here’s a look at the NBA Finals schedule, per Sports Media Watch, which offers multiple days off before all but one of the matchups.
| DATE | GAME | TIME(ET)/TV CHANNEL |
| Thurs., May 30 | Warriors vs. Raptors Game 1 | 9 p.m. ABC |
| Sun., June 2 | Warriors vs. Raptors Game 2 | 8 p.m. ABC |
| Wed., June 5 | Raptors vs. Warriors Game 3 | 9 p.m. ABC |
| Fri., June 7 | Raptors vs. Warriors Game 4 | 9 p.m. ABC |
| Mon., June 10 | Warriors vs. Raptors Game 5 | 9 p.m. ABC |
| Thurs., June 13 | Raptors vs. Warriors Game 6 | 9 p.m. ABC |
| Sun. June 16 | Warriors vs. Raptors Game 7 | 8 p.m. ABC |
With the Raptors hosting the first two games, the series will then shift to Golden State for the next two just prior to the weekend. Assuming additional games are then needed, Game 5 is slated for Monday, June 10 and would be held back in Toronto.
Warriors Injury Updates: Kevin Durant & DeMarcus Cousins
The good news for the Warriors is that DeMarcus Cousins (torn quad) is close to returning to the court. As Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY reported, Cousins said he’s feeling good and building up his endurance.
“I feel good. It’s healed for the most part. I’m still working things into shape, building the muscle endurance to play at a high level,” Cousins said Wednesday during media day for the NBA Finals.
Cousins is listed as questionable for this game, so his outlook will be updated in the near future. As for Kevin Durant (strained calf), he’s already been ruled out for Game 1, and his status moving forward in the NBA Finals is very much in the air.
While Cousins appears likely to return at some point in the near future, Durant may wind up sitting out the series, barring something changing. As Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported, Durant is set to return to on-court work soon but is unlikely to play in Game 2.
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