The NBA Western Conference Finals concluded with a series-low, but still topped the day in sports viewing.
Thursday’s Mavericks-Timberwolves NBA Western Conference Finals Game 5 averaged a 3.2 rating and 6.28 million viewers across TNT and truTV, down 11% in ratings and 8% in viewership from the previous WCF Game 5 in 2022 (Mavericks-Warriors: 3.7, 6.79M), but still the most-watched sportscast of the day.
The Mavericks’ series-clinching rout was the least-watched game of the series. For more on the series and the postseason-to-date, see this article.
Placing second for the night, the Panthers-Rangers NHL Eastern Conference Final Game 5 averaged 2.08 million on ESPN — down 16% from the previous ECF Game 5 in 2022, Lightning-Rangers (2.48M). Compared to last year’s lone conference final Game 5, Stars-Golden Knights on ABC, viewership increased 6% from 1.96 million.
Outside of the NBA and NHL playoffs, Oklahoma State-Florida topped the opening day of the Women’s College World Series with 783,000 viewers on ESPN2, preceded by Stanford-Texas at 697,000.
In the afternoon session, Oklahoma-Duke drew 676,000 and UCLA-Alabama 408,000. The four games averaged 644,000, down 11% from last year — when only three games were played due to weather, but all three aired on ESPN (724K).
Further down the dial, Gael Monfils’ loss to Lorenzo Musetti topped the day in the French Open with 214,000 on Tennis Channel. The opening round of the PGA Tour Canadian Open drew 209,000 on Golf Channel, down 36% from last year (328K).
Opening round coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open drew 151,000 on USA Network, down 59% from last year, when coverage from Pebble Beach aired in primetime (364K).
Thursday, May 30 sports viewership
