NBA Finals: ESPN's Mike Breen back after 3 games missed due to COVID-19

Staff writer

Wed, 8 June 2022, 4:18 pm·1-min read

ESPN is back to full strength with its on-air talent for the NBA Finals.

Veteran play-by-play man Mike Breen has officially been cleared to return to the booth for Game 3 after missing the first two games of the Finals, as well as Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, with COVID-19, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.

NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski had also been out since Game 1 due to the virus, but has already returned to the airwaves for ESPN. Color commentator Jeff Van Gundy missed Game 1 for the same reason and returned in time for Game 2.

Without Breen, ESPN turned to Mark Jones to work alongside Mark Jackson and Van Gundy.

Nov 13, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN analyst Mark Jackson (left) and play-by-play commentator Mike Breen during the NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 120-94. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports — Mike Breen is back for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Breen's return means he will continue a streak of 16 straight NBA Finals called for ESPN. He will be calling a Finals that has so far seen one convincing win on each side of the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. The momentum currently sits with Golden State, who dominated in a 107-88 win on Sunday.

Game 3 is scheduled for tip-off on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET in Boston. It will be broadcast on ABC.