• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 18, 2025

Cavs vs. Celtics Draws Big TV Numbers in NBA Cup Showdown

The battle between the Eastern Conference juggernauts averaged 1.94 million viewers and peaked at 2.7 million.

Nov 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers play during the second half at TD Garden.
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The face-off between the Celtics and Cavaliers had plenty of the ingredients required to drive viewers to their TV screens. And it delivered.

The game averaged 1.94 million viewers on TNT, up 79% over last year’s comparable game, and peaked at 2.7 million viewers. 

The total for Tuesday night’s doubleheader dipped to an average of just 1.6 million viewers due to the Thunder-Spurs nightcap, where Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren were missing due to injury, but the overall average was still 42% higher than Night 3 of the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament, which also featured the Spurs-Thunder followed by Clippers-Nuggets.

The latest results have brought NBA viewership on TNT essentially even with last season at an average of 1.8 million viewers per game.

The 2024 Emirates NBA Cup games are averaging 1.56 million viewers through six games, which is just a 4% increase over last year. This season’s number is dragged down by Friday’s ESPN games (Lakers-Spurs, 1.28 million; Grizzlies-Warriors, 1.03 million), which were affected by the Mike Tyson–Jake Paul fight along with several other programs

A Proven Recipe 

The Cavs-Celtics viewership results showcased how, despite criticism against the league’s three-point-heavy style, an ostensibly meaningful contest featuring top teams and players can boost viewership.

The game had a clear storyline: The defending champions, entering the game at 11–3 and second in the East, battled a budding contender carrying a 15–0 record, the second-longest winning streak to start a season in league history. Most of the star players were healthy, and while no one had the name value of LeBron James—Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Donovan Mitchell are still top attractions.

It was also an NBA Cup showdown, and while it’s still not clear whether the in-season tournament is driving viewership—last Tuesday’s opener was up 71% but featured the return of Klay Thompson to Golden State—it at least provided additional intrigue to the battle. 

“Everybody knew that they were undefeated and coming to our building. And also, it’s an NBA Cup game, and we already lost one game. So it was a really big game in that aspect. So we were all aware,” Celtics guard Derrick White said after the game.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
exclusive

Bill Belichick UNC Series Heading to Hulu After ‘Hard Knocks’ Breakdown

The series lands at Hulu after a deal with HBO fell through.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.

Netflix Beats Projections Again—and Plots Big Holiday Sports Slate

The streaming giant again beats analyst projections in every respect.
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.
July 16, 2025

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
July 17, 2025

ESPN Bidding Against NBC, Apple for MLB Rights Package

The league continues to negotiate with multiple media-rights bidders.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 15, 2025

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
July 15, 2025

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive
July 15, 2025

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.