NBA Finals Starting Lineup Introductions Return on ABC and ESPN for the First Time Since 2013

It’s been a long time coming, 12 years, to be exact. But finally, the NBA Finals will bring back something fans didn’t realize they missed so much: the live broadcast of the starting lineup introductions.If you’re tuning in to Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers, get ready to feel that pre-game buzz in a whole new way.

ABC and ESPN are reviving the full, dramatic introductions just before tip-off, something we haven’t seen on TV since the 2013 NBA Finals when the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs went head-to-head.For fans who’ve followed the league for a while, it’s a return to form. For newer viewers, it might just become one of their favorite parts of Finals night.

NBA Finals introductions: Why This Moment Matters to Fans

There’s something about hearing a player’s name echo through the arena, the crowd roaring, lights pulsing, and music thumping that sets the stage. That’s what’s been missing.When those starting five names are called out one by one, it’s not just an intro, it’s a moment. The kind that sticks in your memory.

The kind where, even from your couch, you feel your pulse quicken. For fans who grew up on Finals broadcasts in the early 2000s, this is a nod to the drama that made the NBA Finals feel larger than life.Now, ahead of Monday night’s 8:30 p.m. ET tipoff, the show is back. So maybe pour your drink, grab your snacks a little earlier, and soak it in.

Game 5: Where Legends Are Made

With the series tied 2-2, Game 5 is the pressure cooker that often determines who walks away with the title. Historically, the team that takes this game in a deadlocked Finals has gone on to win it all 23 out of 31 times. That’s not just trivia, it’s a warning shot for both squads.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Young, Bold, and On Fire

The Thunder have been building toward this NBA finals for a while, but 2025 feels like their real coming-out party. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been every bit the MVP, leading a squad that plays with both swagger and smarts.Add in Chet Holmgren’s presence in the paint, Jalen Williams’ clutch performances, and the sheer noise at the Paycom Center (where they’ve only lost once this postseason), and you’ve got a team that looks and plays like they belong.They’re young, they’re confident, and they’re back home. Don’t be surprised if they come out swinging.

Indiana Pacers: The Underdog Script Everyone’s Rooting For

Meanwhile, the Pacers aren’t just here to make up the numbers. They’ve clawed their way back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, and they’ve done it with grit, heart, and a whole lot of hustle.Tyrese Haliburton has been electric. Pascal Siakam brings Finals experience and a steady hand. Together, they’ve guided a team that wasn’t supposed to be here, past title contenders like Milwaukee and Cleveland.Their journey has been rocky, but that’s what makes it compelling. Every game feels like a statement. Every win feels earned.

Where to Catch the Magic

Set your reminders: the pregame coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with the main broadcast on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET. If you want to catch the intros (and trust us, you do), don’t be late.The broadcast is presented by YouTube TV, continuing its Finals partnership with ESPN and the NBA.

Final Thoughts

Bringing back the intros might seem minor, but in a league always looking forward, it’s refreshing to see a nod to its roots. It humanizes the players. It fuels the fans. It reminds us that beyond the analytics and gameplans, basketball is still a show, a very emotional, unpredictable, powerful one.Whether you’re cheering for the Thunder’s rise or Indiana’s underdog miracle, one thing’s for sure: Game 5 won’t just be important. It’ll be unforgettable, from the very first name called.