ESPN and TNT will be collaborating on game and studio coverage during the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals on Thursday, Dec. 7 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., the two networks announced on Tuesday afternoon. The two entities will each air one semifinal game during the day, utilizing commentators from both networks within the coverage ahead of the championship matchup, which takes place from the same location two days later and will be televised on ABC.
ESPN will present the 5 p.m. EST/2 p.m. PST matchup with play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, analyst Doris Burke and reporter Lisa Salters on the call. Joining them will be NBA on TNT analyst Reggie Miller, who will provide additional color commentary throughout the matchup. At 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST, play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan, analyst Candace Parker and reporter Allie LaForce will be on the broadcast for the second semifinal game. The team will be joined by ESPN NBA analyst Doc Rivers, who will add his insights and perspectives as an analyst during the game.
Pregame coverage will also feature crossover between ESPN’s NBA Countdown and TNT’s Inside the NBA, beginning on the pregame show for the earlier game. NBA Countdown will feature host Malika Andrews, insider Adrian Wojnarowski and analysts Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon and Bob Myers. The panel will be joined by Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal for an extended segment within the program. Later in the day, the NBA Countdown cast will appear on TNT ahead of the game telecast, with both program sets being situated outside of the arena. Smith and Wilbon will remain on the air with Inside the NBA for postgame coverage following the second game.
The two networks are in the penultimate season with broadcast rights to the NBA as a variety of outlets express interest in the property. The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery will have an exclusive 45-day negotiating window with the NBA starting on March 9, 2024 where the league and networks are able to begin discussing new rights deals.
