Tuesday, June 30, 2026
    More
    Media

    NBA Playoffs’ Opening Weekend Ratings Highest In More Than a Decade

    • Viewership was up 37% over last year’s first weekend of games.
    • Sunday’s Nets-Celtics game averaged 6.9 million viewers.
    By
    Apr 19, 2022 | 04:58 pm
    David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

    Ratings for the opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs soared with an average of 4.05 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT, marking the most-watched first playoff weekend since 2011.

    Leading the way was Sunday’s Nets-Celtics thriller on ABC, which averaged 6.9 million viewers (3.1 rating) and peaked at 9.8 million, making it the most-viewed first-round game since 2016.

    Opening-weekend viewership collectively rose 37% from last year (2.95 million) and 41% from 2019 (2.88 million), according to Sports Media Watch. 

    In 2020, the postseason was forced to begin on a Monday in August after the season was delayed due to the pandemic.

    TNT’s Sunday night game between the defending champion Bucks and Bulls drew the largest opening-round postseason audience on cable since 2018, averaging 4.77 million viewers and a 2.2 rating, per Sports Media Watch.

    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Sign up for
    The Memo Newsletter

    Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Linkedin
    Whatsapp
    Copy Link
    Link Copied
    Link Copied

    What to Read

    Jun 11, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert meets with the working media before Portland Fire against the Las Vegas Aces at Moda Center.
    by

    Cathy Engelbert Responds to Alyssa Thomas’s Callout
    Thomas received a Flagrant 2 foul and one-game suspension last week.
    Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
    by

    Clippers Set to Trade Kawhi to Raptors as Aspiration Ruling Looms
    Adam Silver has indicated that a ruling is coming soon.
    by

    Josh Childress: Women’s Sports Attracting ‘New Pool of Capital’
    The former NBA player also weighed in on expansion and Stanford athletics.
    Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
    by

    Dusty May Believes NIL Era Experience Will Aid NBA Transition
    May is the first college coach to make the jump since 2019.
    podcast thumbnail
    podcast thumbnail mobile
    Front Office Sports Today

    A Conversation with Mia Hamm on the World Cup, NWSL Growth, Angel City Ownership, and Women’s Sports Narratives

    0:00

    Featured Today
    by

    What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage
    The knockout stage begins Sunday.
    June 26, 2026

    In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together
    Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
    June 25, 2026

    Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO
    Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
    Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
    June 24, 2026

    Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’
    “Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
    June 18, 2026

    Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan
    The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.

    More in Media
    Rob Stone speaks during the Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff NCAA football pregame show, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Pentacrest in Iowa City, Iowa.
    by

    A Bandwagoner’s Guide to the USMNT World Cup Run
    Rob Stone breaks down the Americans’ outlook ahead of Wednesday.
    May 1, 2026; Louisville, KY, USA; Dave Portnoy walks and gives a thumbs up to his fans during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Scott Utterback/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
    June 29, 2026

    Dave Portnoy Discusses His Book, Barstool’s Talent Pipeline
    Portnoy also addressed his relationship with the Big Ten.
    June 30, 2026

    Comcast’s NBCUniversal Split Could Give the NFL More Leverage
    The forthcoming split will reverberate throughout the entire media business.
    Sponsored

    Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion
    Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
    Aug 12, 2021; Dyersville, Iowa, USA; Movie actor Kevin Costner leaves the field before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Field of Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
    June 29, 2026

    Elle Duncan Wants Kevin Costner on Netflix ‘Field of Dreams’ Game
    Netflix will stream the game Aug. 13.
    Jun 28, 2026; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Viktor Hovland follows his drive on the 1st hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: John Dufour-Imagn Images
    June 29, 2026

    NBC Misses First Hour of Red Sox–Yankees Amid PGA Tour Delay
    The Travelers Championship experienced a weather delay on Sunday.
    June 29, 2026

    Comcast Reverses Course, Will Spin Off NBCUniversal
    The dramatic plan entirely flips the company’s position from five months ago.
    Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 29, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during his first round match against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic REUTERS/Toby Melville
    June 29, 2026

    Tennis Stars Stand Down on Wimbledon Media Protests
    Jannik Sinner is reportedly considering boycotting the US Open Mixed Doubles.