The NBA Finals tip off on Thursday night, but ABC will be without two key cogs. Both Jeff Van Gundy and Adrian Wojnarowski have been sidelined due to Covid-19.
The play-by-play team will feature just two men for Game 1. Andrew Marchand of The New York Post reports that ESPN bosses were still waiting for Mike Breen’s Covid test to come back as of Thursday morning. As of this writing, his status is unknown.
Richard Deitsch reported the uncertainty on Wednesday. At that time, it was only Breen that was in doubt.
If Breen is available, he would be partnered with Mark Jackson. If he is not, Jackson will work with Mark Jones, as he did in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Marc Kestecher is also in San Francisco. He is standing by to take over for ESPN Radio should Jones be called on for TV duties. Doris Burke and PJ Carlissimo will be the analysts on ESPN Radio.
Adrian Wojnarowski’s situation is a little more unique. He is a part of the NBA Countdown crew, but ESPN is more interested in him breaking news than serving as an analyst. He could join the broadcast in time for Game 3 in Boston, or he could contribute remotely from his home.
