• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

NBA Finals Game 2 Ratings Lowest Since 2007, Excluding Bubble

Game 2 between the Pacers and Thunder averaged 8.76 million viewers on ABC.

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

An exciting NBA Finals opener was not enough to reel in more viewers to a lopsided second act.

Game 2 of the NBA Finals averaged 8.76 million viewers Sunday night on ABC, based on Nielsen numbers reported by Sports Media Watch. It’s the least-watched NBA Finals Game 2 since 2020 (Heat vs. Lakers, 7.54 million), a series played in the bubble at Walt Disney World due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excluding 2020, it’s the least-watched Game 2 since 2007 (Spurs vs. Cavaliers, 8.55 million).

The number is down nearly 30% from Game 2 of last year’s Finals (Celtics vs. Mavericks, 12.3 million), and drew less than the 2021 series (Bucks vs. Suns, 9.38 million), which was also impacted by the global pandemic. 

It’s also down from the series opener, which averaged 8.91 million viewers Thursday—a game that saw Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winner with 0.3 seconds left. The series was poised to get a viewership lift from Game 1’s exciting finish, which peaked at 11 million viewers around the time of Haliburton’s shot. However, Oklahoma City led by double figures for most of Sunday’s game, which peaked at just 9.9 million viewers.

The 8.84 million viewership average of the first two games is down at least 24% from the last three Finals, even if the first three rounds of the playoffs were up 3% entering the Finals.

The first two games of this series averaged less than half the viewership of the first two games of the 2018 Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers (18.1 million), which ended with a sweep. 

The Thunder and Pacers play in two of the league’s smallest markets, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver praised both ahead of Game 1, stressing the NBA’s emphasis on building a global brand.

“As a global sport, you can feel the passion for this team and for NBA basketball here in Oklahoma City, but that’s a passion felt globally,” Silver said.

This postseason had been a strong one for the league through the conference finals. NHL TV ratings have been down significantly in the U.S. this year, but up substantially in Canada.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.
Dewanna Bonner
exclusive

WNBA Cutdown Deadline Could Spur Deals for DeWanna Bonner, Emma Meesseman

The two big-name free agents could find their WNBA homes in July.
Ohio State

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion
June 30, 2025

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.
June 30, 2025

ESPN, MLB Relationship May Not Be Over After All

The parties restart rights talks amid a high-profile divorce in February.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
exclusive
June 27, 2025

TNT Will No Longer Operate NBA TV, NBA.com, Signaling Another Shift

TNT had operated NBA TV and NBA.com since 2008.
June 26, 2025

NBA Draft Ratings Fall 14.5% Despite Early Cooper Flagg Lift

3.77 million viewers watched across ESPN and ABC.
Bristol, CT - October 3, 2023 - Studio X: Kevin Negandhi on the set of SportsCenter.
June 26, 2025

From NBA Draft to Rubik’s Championship: Negandhi’s Whirlwind Summer With ESPN

Negandhi recently anchored the NBA draft lottery and NBA draft.
opinion
June 25, 2025

From Woj Bombs to Shams Calm: ESPN Insider Avoids Draft Spoilers

Charania’s presence was fairly muted both on ESPN and social media.