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.
![The University of Alabama showed off renovations to Bryant Denny Stadium Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Sports Illustrated covers decorate the walls inside the new press box. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/USATSI_15005835_168422351_lowres-scaled-e1779297429645.jpg?quality=80&w=300)