The New York Knicks’ recent surge resulted in what may be a short-lived ratings record on Friday night.
Friday’s Hornets/Knicks NBA regular season game earned a 7.32 rating on MSG Network in the New York TV market, the highest regular season Knicks rating since MSG Network began tracking ratings in 1988.
The previous regular season record was a 6.78 for Bulls/Knicks in March 1995, the famous game won by Bill Wennington in the final seconds.
Including playoffs, Friday’s game ranks as the highest rated telecast of any kind on MSG Network since Heat/Knicks Game 6 in 2000 (7.85).
The record may not stand for long. Monday’s Knicks/Nets regular season game earned a 7.34 preliminary rating on MSG, which would rank as a new regular season record.
For the season, Knicks games have averaged a 2.46 rating on MSG Network up 82% from the same number of games last season (1.35). Keep in mind this season began on Christmas Day due to the owners’ five-month lockout of players, the fourth work stoppage in NBA history (all owner-imposed lockouts).
The past seven Knicks telecasts (not including Monday’s game) have averaged a 4.30 rating.
(This year’s numbers from MSG Network)
