After a hot start care of the Warriors and Lakers, the NBA Play-in Tournament had another strong night despite featuring lower-profile teams.
Wednesday’s NBA Play-in Tournament games averaged 3.25 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2 (3.27 million including ESPN Deportes), up 25% from last year (2.59M). Including the 37% increase for Tuesday’s games, the Play-in Tournament has averaged 3.62 million across TNT, truTV, ESPN and ESPN2 — up 32% from the same point last year (2.75M).
Heat-Sixers topped Wednesday’s slate with a combined 3.40 million across ESPN (3.31M) and ESPN2 (98K) — up 42% from Bulls-Raptors on the same two networks last year (2.34M). The Sixers’ win delivered the sixth-largest audience in the young history of the Play-in (23 total telecasts), with half of the top six coming this year. It was the most-watched Play-in game that did not involve the Warriors or Lakers.
The Hawks-Bulls nightcap — a matchup of teams with fewer than 40 wins — followed with 3.07 million on ESPN alone, up 7% from Thunder-Pelicans a year ago (2.86M).
Including ESPN Deportes, the games averaged 3.43 and 3.10 million respectively. Each averaged a 1.2 rating in adults 18-49, easily topping the night on television.
The Play-in accounts for four of the top ten NBA audiences this season, and four of the top eight if one excludes All-Star festivities.
Largest NBA audiences, 2023-24 season (through April 17)
