Craig Sager to broadcast his first NBA Finals during Game 6 with ESPN

Craig Sager will work his first NBA Finals when he joins ESPN’s broadcast team during Game 6 between the Warriors and Cavaliers on Thursday night.

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TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager will work his first NBA Finals when he joins ESPN’s broadcast team during Game 6 between the Warriors and Cavaliers on Thursday night, ESPN announced.

A partnership between TNT and ESPN will allow Sager to share sideline reporting duties with ESPN’s Doris Burke during the game. 

Sager, 64, has worked for Turner for 34 years and has continued to report from NBA sidelines as he battles the return of his leukemia, which he has dealt with over the past two years. He will receive ESPN’s Jimmy V Award for Perseverance in July at the ESPYs.

• JENKINS: Craig Sager: Always on the bright side

“I’d like to thank Turner and ESPN for approaching me with this tremendous opportunity to be part of The Finals broadcast team,” Sager said in a statement. “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.”

Game 6 will begin at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday.