Despite a third-straight blowout, the NBA’s Western Conference Finals hit a series-high in the metered markets.
Game 4 of the Warriors/Thunder NBA West finals earned a 6.8 overnight rating on TNT Tuesday night, up 36% from Hawks/Cavaliers last year (5.0) and up 39% from Spurs/Thunder in 2014 (4.9). Compared to Game 4 of last year’s Warriors/Rockets WCF on ESPN, overnights increased 13% from a 6.0.
Oklahoma City’s blowout win, which peaked at a 7.8 from 11-11:15 PM ET, earned the highest overnight for a Game 4 in the Western Conference Finals since Lakers/Nuggets on ESPN in 2009 (7.1). Regardless of conference, it was the top rated Game 4 in the metered markets since Heat/Celtics on ESPN in 2012 (7.9).
The 6.8 also ranks as the highest overnight for any NBA game this season, edging Game 1 of the series and Cavaliers/Warriors on ABC Christmas Day, both of which had a 6.7.
Locally, Oklahoma City topped all markets with a 25.6 rating — down 5% from Spurs/Thunder Game 4 in 2014 (26.9). The Bay Area ranked second with a 19.8, up 2% from Warriors/Rockets Game 4 last year (19.5). Tulsa (15.3), Cleveland (12.1) and San Antonio (11.3) rounded out the top five.
