Despite delivering one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory, Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder posted historically low TV ratings, averaging just 8.91 million viewers on ABC. That’s the least-watched Game 1 since 1988, excluding pandemic-affected years.
Yet, the NBA is flipping the narrative.
According to NBA PR, the game peaked at 11 million viewers during Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning shot, and dominated its time slot by nearly tripling the next closest network’s ratings. The league also noted that nearly half of all 18–34-year-olds watching TV were tuned in to the game, highlighting a strong connection with younger audiences.
On social media, Game 1 exploded, racking up over 500 million views, an all-time Finals record. The message is clear: while traditional TV numbers dipped, fan engagement is evolving fast.
(This is a building story…)
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