An unusually close series involving LeBron James fueled the most-watched first round of the NBA Playoffs in four years.
Sunday’s Pacers-Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 7 delivered a 4.25 rating and 6.8 million viewers on ABC, up 54% in ratings and 62% in viewership from last year (Wizards-Celtics Game 1: 2.8, 4.2M) and up 71% in both measures from 2016 (Hornets-Heat: 2.5, 3.8M).
The Cavaliers’ close win delivered the fourth-largest opening round audience since 2009 (Bulls-Celtics Game 7: 7.0M), behind Warriors-Rockets in 2016 (7.2M), Celtics-Knicks in 2011 (7.02M) and Heat-Knicks in 2012 (7.01M).
The numbers would likely have been even stronger had the game not begun at 1 PM ET. It tied the highest early afternoon NBA rating — start time before 2 PM — since Knicks-Heat Game 1 on NBC in 2000 (5.1).
For the weekend, Game 7 was easily the top sporting event on any network. Its 2.4 rating in adults 18-49 was the highest of any television program over the weekend, comfortably ahead of ABC’s “American Idol” on Sunday night (1.9).
Game 6 on Friday night had a 2.3 rating and 3.6 million viewers on ESPN, up 64% in ratings and viewership from last year (Celtics-Bulls: 1.4, 2.2M) and up 53% and 56% respectively from 2016 (Heat-Hornets: 1.5, 2.3M). It was the most-watched NBA game opposite primetime NFL Draft coverage since 2011 (Lakers-Hornets: 3.8M).
In other first round action, Thunder-Jazz Game 6 had a 2.3 and 3.6 million in Friday’s nightcap — up 28% in ratings and 27% in viewership from last year (Clippers-Jazz: 1.8, 2.8M) and up 28% and 23% respectively from 2016 (Clippers-Blazers: 1.8, 2.9M).
Raptors-Wizards Game 6 had 546,000 on ESPNEWS and NBA TV, down 15% from Hawks-Wizards on ESPNU and NBA TV last year (642K).
On Saturday, Bucks-Celtics Game 7 drew a 2.5 and 4.1 million on TNT — down 11% in ratings and 15% in viewership from the last Game 7 in the window, Spurs-Clippers in 2015 (2.8, 4.8M).
The full first round of the NBA Playoffs averaged 3.15 million viewers across the ESPN family of networks, TNT and NBA TV, according to Sports Business Daily writer Austin Karp — up 2% from last year and the highest since 2014.
The Cavs-Pacers series delivered the three largest audiences of the opening round, with Game 4 (3.7, 6.1M) and Game 1 (3.8, 5.9M) ranking behind Game 7.
Highest First Round NBA Playoff Ratings, Viewership
Since NBC lost rights in 2002
| # | Highest Rated | # | Most-Watched | ||||||
| Year | Game | Rtg. | Net | Year | Game | Vwrs. | Net | ||
| 1 | 2003 | MIN-LAL Gm. 4 | 4.9 | ABC | 1 | 2016 | GS-HOU Gm. 4 | 7.24M | ABC |
| 2 | 2004 | LAL-HOU Gm. 4 | 4.8 | ABC | 2 | 2011 | BOS-NY Gm. 4 | 7.02M | ABC |
| 3 | 2003 | POR-DAL Gm. 7 | 4.6 | ABC | 3 | 2012 | MIA-NY Gm. 4 | 7.01M | ABC |
| 4 | 2016 | GS-HOU Gm. 4 | 4.5 | ABC | 2003 | MIN-LAL Gm. 4 | 7.01M | ABC | |
| 2012 | MIA-NY Gm. 4 | 4.5 | ABC | 2004 | LAL-HOU Gm. 4 | 7.01M | ABC | ||
| 6 | 2009 | CHI-BOS Gm. 7 | 4.4 | TNT | 6 | 2009 | CHI-BOS Gm. 7 | 6.99M | TNT |
| 7 | 2006 | PHX-LAL Gm. 4 | 4.3 | ABC | 7 | 2018 | IND-CLE Gm. 7 | 6.80M | ABC |
| 8 | 2018 | IND-CLE Gm. 7 | 4.25 | ABC | 8 | 2017 | POR-GS Gm. 1 | 6.52M | ABC |
| 9 | 2014 | DAL-SA Gm. 7 | 4.2 | ABC | 9 | 2015 | LAC-SA Gm. 4 | 6.51M | ABC |
| 2014 | LAC-GS Gm. 4 | 4.2 | ABC | 10 | 2014 | DAL-SA Gm. 7 | 6.49M | ABC | |
| 2011 | BOS-NY Gm. 4 | 4.2 | ABC | ||||||
CORRECTION 5/2: Originally reported a 4.5 rating for the game, based on information from ESPN. That was erroneous, and the game had a 4.25 rating.
[Numbers from ESPN; Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 5.1, Programming Insider 4.30; Austin Karp/Twitter 5.1]
