NBA Playoff Ratings: Pacers-Cavs Game 1 Hits High

LeBron James‘ first opening round loss in six years delivered the NBA’s highest opening weekend playoff rating in 15.

Sunday’s Pacers-Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1 scored a 3.8 rating and 5.94 million viewers on ABC, up a tick in ratings but down 9% in viewership from last year (Blazers-Warriors: 3.7, 6.5M) and up 12% and 11% respectively from 2016 (Pistons-Cavs: 3.4, 5.4M).

The Pacers’ blowout win was the highest rated opening weekend playoff game in 15 years, since Game 1 of Lakers-Timberwolves on ABC in 2003 (4.1). The previous high was a 3.7 for multiple games.

It ranks fourth in viewership over that span, behind Blazers-Warriors last year and a pair of games in 2011 — Hornets-Lakers (5.95M) and Knicks-Celtics (5.99M).

Compared to last year’s Pacers-Cavaliers opener, ratings increased 52% and viewership 47% from a 2.5 and 4.0 million. That game aired on a Saturday afternoon, when ratings are lower.

The game was the highest rated and most-watched sporting event of the weekend. In adults 18-49, its 2.2 rating ranked second among all weekend programs behind the season finale of The Walking Dead.

On Saturday, ABC drew a 2.8 and 4.3 million for Spurs-Warriors — up 12% in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year’s aforementioned Pacers-Cavs game, but down 10% in both measures from 2016 (Rockets-Warriors: 3.1, 4.8M).

Highest Opening Weekend NBA Playoff Ratings, Viewership

Since NBC lost rights in 2002

#	Highest Rated				Most-Watched
#	Year	Game	Rtg.	Net	Year	Game	Vwrs.	Net
1	2003	LAL-MIN	4.1	ABC	2017	POR-GS	6.52M	ABC
2	2018	IND-CLE	3.8	ABC	2003	LAL-MIN	6.29M	ABC
3	2017	POR-GS	3.7	ABC	2011	NY-BOS	5.99M	TNT
4	2011	NO-LAL	3.7	ABC	2011	NO-LAL	5.95M	ABC
5	2013	LAL-SA	3.6	ABC	2018	IND-CLE	5.94M	ABC
6	2011	NY-BOS	3.6	TNT	2013	LAL-SA	5.51M	ABC
7	2015	BOS-CLE	3.5	ABC	2015	BOS-CLE	5.40M	ABC
8	2008	DEN-LAL	3.5	ABC	2014	CHA-MIA	5.36M	ABC
9	2016	DET-CLE	3.4	ABC	2016	DET-CLE	5.35M	ABC
10	2006	LAL-PHX	3.4	ABC	2017	OKC-HOU	5.16M	TNT