NBA playoff ratings have suffered only a modest decline thus far, though short series and the Lakers’ early exit may pose a challenge going forward.
NBA playoff games averaged a 1.7 rating and 3.17 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, TNT, truTV and NBA TV through Sunday, down a tick in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year (1.8, 3.36M) but flat and up 5% respectively from 2022 (1.7, 3.15M). ABC aired six games through Sunday, one more than in previous seasons.
Saturday’s Nuggets-Lakers Game 4 averaged a 3.0 and 5.67 million on ABC, the largest audience of the NBA season and up a third and 34% respectively from a late night Grizzlies-Lakers game on ESPN last year (2.2, 4.23M).
The Lakers, who were eliminated Monday night, have played in five of the ten most-watched NBA telecasts this season (five of the top eight excluding All-Star events).
ABC aired the three most-watched games of the weekend — NBA or otherwise. Clippers-Mavericks Game 4 placed second with a 3.0 and 5.56 million Sunday afternoon, down 24% and 26% respectively from Kings-Warriors a year ago (4.0, 7.52M). Knicks-Sixers Game 4 led in with a 2.6 and 4.65 million, up 13% and 17% respectively from last year’s Cavaliers-Knicks game (2.3, 3.98M).
Shifting to cable, Timberwolves-Suns Game 4 led the weekend slate with a 2.0 and 3.62 million on TNT Sunday night — up 14% in both measures from Nuggets-Timberwolves last year (1.7, 3.17M).
TNT’s four other weekend windows declined. Bucks-Pacers Game 4 led in with a 1.8 (-7%) and 3.45 million (-10%).
On Saturday, Celtics-Heat Game 3 drew a 1.6 and 3.04 million — down a tick and 5% respectively from Bucks-Heat on ESPN last year (1.7, 3.20M). It fared better than its two lead-ins, which sank double-figures. Thunder-Pelicans Game 3 drew a 1.1 (-33%) and 2.03 million (-34%) and Cavaliers-Magic Game 4 a 0.8 (-23%) and 1.41 million (-21%).
