Mike Breen out, Mark Jones in for NBA Finals Game 1 broadcast

Mark Jones (right) will replace Stan Van Gundy alongside Mark Jackson (left) for the call of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Breen out, Mark Jones in for ABC's NBA Finals Game 1 broadcast

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Jun 2, 2022 2:47 PM ET

With the "Splash Brothers" of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson back in the NBA championship round after a three-year hiatus, and this time being joined by the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the 2022 NBA Finals is sure to feature plenty of three-pointers. If fans of basketball commentator Mike Breen were hoping to hear the 61-year-old's famous "BANG!" call on clutch connections from deep on Thursday night, they'll have to wait a bit longer.

NEWS: Mark Jones will be on play-by-play for tonight's Game 1 of the NBA Finals, according to an ESPN spokesman. He will team with Mark Jackson. https://t.co/ogklSLtH9Z
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) June 2, 2022

Breen — who also missed the Boston Celtics' Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday — will be sidelined due to his ongoing bout with COVID-19. The Hall of Fame sportscaster will be joined on the proverbial sideline by fellow announcer Jeff Vandy Gundy and ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, who have both tested positive for the virus as well.

Mark Jones filled in for Breen on Sunday for the Celtics' clinching victory.

Game 1 is set for a 9:00 p.m. ET tip-off from Chase Center.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

More must-reads: