NBA Countdown will introduce a new addition on Monday night.
New York Knicks star Julius Randle will become the latest active NBA player to join ESPN and ABC’s flagship pregame show during Game 5 of the Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.
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The 29-year-old three-time All-Star will follow in the footsteps of Chris Paul, Josh Hart and Paul George by appearing on NBA Countdown from TD Garden, according to The Athletics’ André Marchand.
The report added that Randle will also remain on air for his Kia Halftime Show.
Randle will join regular Countdown hosts Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Bob Myers and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Coverage will begin at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN 2 and 8 pm ET on ABC.
Mike Breen, Dorris Burke and JJ Redick will provide analysis of the game starting at 8:30 pm ET on ABC.
Lisa Salters will provide updates in parallel.
News of Randle’s addition to the lineup drew a mix of reactions from fans on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Just get everyone who is going to hate Boston haha,” one user suggested.
“I feel like if you’re going to be covering finals like this, you should have a ring,” a second commented.
While in what appeared to be a sly dig at ESPN, another added: “He will get four seconds of airtime.”
The Kia Halftime Show has are under heavy scrutiny during the finals for including minimal analysis between commercials and several other segments.
One viewer went so far as to label it “The worst halftime show in all of sports” during Game 2.
Monday night will mark Myers’ return to the team after missing Game 4 in Dallas.
The two-time NBA Executive of the Year was absent from the show due to a personal matter, according to Marchand.
His spot was filled by ESPN regular and former NBA star Kendrick Perkins.
Myers returns for what could be a title-deciding game in Boston, with the Celtics up 3-1 in the series.
However, it’s Dallas that enters TD Garden with some positive momentum after a brutal 122-84 victory on Friday.
If the Mavericks can secure their second straight win, the series will return to Texas on Thursday.
If the Celtics win, it will be the 18th time the franchise has won the title.
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