Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers saw a dramatic rebound in TV viewership, smashing ratings after a sluggish start.
Viewership Jump: A Ratings Redemption
- Game 7 averaged 16.4 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched NBA Finals game in six years.
- The broadcast peaked at around 19.3 million viewers during the second half on ABC and ESPN+.
- This marked a 74% increase from the first six games of the series, which averaged just 9.25 million—a standard Game 7 usually provides only a 65% boost.
Despite the strong rebound, the overall series averaged 10.27 million viewers, down 9% from last year’s 11.31 million and earning the title of the lowest-rated Finals since 2007 (excluding COVID-impacted years).
What Drove the Surge?
- High-stakes Game 7: Finals ending in a decisive game naturally draw broader attention—even when small-market teams are involved.
- Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s story: His standout season, where he became only the fourth player to win the scoring title, regular-season MVP, and Finals MVP in the same year, drew interest.
- Tyrese Haliburton’s injury: The unexpected torn Achilles early in game action added emotional weight and widespread viewer concern.
Bigger Picture: Ratings Slump & Recovery
- The Game 1 opener drew only 8.9 million viewers, one of the lowest in non-pandemic history.
- Though Game 7 hit season highs, it still falls short of historic benchmarks—e.g., the 2016 Cavaliers–Warriors Game 7 drew 31 million, and the 2019 Raptors–Warriors finale saw 18.3 million viewers.
Why It Matters
- Momentary boost: Game 7 salvaged the Finals from a potential ratings disaster—viewership soared compared to earlier games.
- Long-term concerns: The dip in overall series viewership signals growing challenges in maintaining interest with small-market matchups and less prominent teams.
- Social media influence: Despite modest TV ratings, the Finals saw massive digital engagement—over 5 billion social media views, reinforcing the NBA’s growing online footprint.
What’s Next
- NBA’s strategy: The league is pushing player-driven narratives and social platforms to build broader audience interest beyond traditional big-market clubs .
- Broadcast dynamics: With lucrative media deals secured, the NBA is reassessing how much importance to place on immediate TV ratings versus long-term fan engagement and streaming metrics.
Bottom Line
While Game 7 performance delivered a rating highlight with 16–16.5 million viewers, it came against a backdrop of historic lows earlier in the series. The surge reflects the unparalleled draw of decisive championships, yet the NBA faces ongoing pressure to broaden appeal in an evolving media landscape.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into demographic breakdowns, streaming trends, or league strategies.
