Turner’s pro basketball sideline reporter Craig Sager is set to join ESPN’s NBA Finals broadcast team for Game 6 — a one-off spot for the veteran who’s actually never covered the championship series before.
He’ll share courtside reporting duties with Doris Burke on Thursday, when the Golden State Warriors-Cleveland Cavaliers contest tips off on ABC. The rest of the broadcast team includes play-by-play commentator Mike Breen and analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson.
“I’d like to thank Turner and ESPN for approaching me with this tremendous opportunity to be part of The Finals broadcast team,” said Sager (pictured above, not the costumed bull). “I’ve been watching the series very closely and, while I do not want to distract in any way from the event itself, I look forward to being in the building for what will be an incredibly exciting Game 6. The NBA community is a very special one and this is a great honor.”
“Craig is an iconic member of the NBA family who indelibly makes his mark on each and every broadcast,” added John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president, production and programming. “I know our entire team is delighted to work with Craig for Game 6. We all agree his professional reputation is second-to-none, though it’s his personal reputation — that of class, selflessness and respect — which makes this even more special for our team. We hope that this will be a special night for Craig and for NBA fans. We are grateful for his interest and for the continued collaboration with our friends at Turner.”
On July 13, ESPN will present Sager with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at The 2016 ESPYS on ABC. Sager, who has been with Turner Sports since 1982, was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2014.
Thursday’s Game 6 coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. with “NBA Countdown” on ABC.