In a first round marked by declining ratings, the unexpectedly competitive Clippers-Warriors series has been a saving grace.
Wednesday’s Clippers-Warriors first round NBA playoff Game 5 earned a 2.6 rating and 4.09 million viewers on TNT, up 13% in ratings and 18% in viewership from last year (Rockets-T’Wolves: 2.3, 3.48M). There was no late night game on the comparable date two years ago.
Of the 38 playoff games that can be compared to last year, the Clippers’ upset win was just the seventh to post an increase in ratings and/or viewership. The Warriors-Clippers series accounts for three of the seven increases.
The increase does come with a caveat; last year’s comparable game aired opposite a competing playoff game on NBA TV.
The game ranks as the highest rated and most-watched of the postseason on cable. Regardless of network, it ranks third behind two other games in the series — Game 4 on last Sunday (3.8, 6.29M) and Game 1 the previous weekend (3.0, 4.83M).
Earlier in the night, Jazz-Rockets Game 5 drew a 2.2 and 3.37 million — down 12% in ratings and 18% in viewership from last year (Pacers-Cavaliers: 2.5, 4.11M), and down 19% and 21% respectively from 2017 (Bulls-Celtics: 2.7, 4.28M).
Facing the NFL Draft on Thursday night, Nuggets-Spurs Game 6 had just a 1.2 (-20%) and 1.80 million (-25%). It was the least-watched NBA playoff game on night one of the draft since 2015, when the Bulls’ 54-point rout of the Bucks had 1.74 million.
