Knicks Comeback Win Is Good News For NBA Playoff TV Ratings

The Pacers looked like a shoo-in for the NBA Finals after taking a 20-point lead in the second quarter of Game 3 against the Knicks. But comebacks have been a theme of these playoffs for both teams—and it was New York’s turn Sunday. The Knicks outscored the Pacers by 16 in the fourth quarter to bring their Eastern Conference finals series to 2–1, with a chance to tie it on Tuesday.

It’s a positive result for the NBA (and its broadcast partner, TNT, airing its final series before the league moves to NBC and Amazon Prime) as it extends one of the postseason’s most exciting series. 

While there are still no viewership numbers for Games 2 and 3, ratings are expected to be strong following Game 1, which drew 6.6 million viewers, a seven-year high for an Eastern Conference finals opener. It helps that the two sides have a long-standing rivalry dating back to the ‘90s, and each of the three games has been decided by six points or less.

The boost comes at a good time for the league, as the other side of the bracket hasn’t had the same viewership pull. Game 1 of the Western Conference finals series between the Thunder and Timberwolves averaged 5.36 million viewers, the least-watched conference finals opener since 2021. Game 2 on Thursday drew 5.16 million viewers, the least-watched Western Conference finals game since 2013, according to Sports Media Watch.

Like the Knicks, Minnesota also cut its series deficit to 2–1 with a win Saturday, but the 42-point blowout over Oklahoma City likely didn’t help viewership numbers—at least for that game.

Sunday’s win for New York also ensures that at least one more game will be played at Madison Square Garden. The get-in price for Game 5 is $620, according to TickPick, more expensive than the cheapest ticket for Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 at The Garden is $1,127.