The 2023 NBA playoff ratings are some of the best in decades. This is largely due to the Warriors and Kings’ scintillating seven-game series in the first round, as well as the ubiquity of start-studded matchups.
Warriors-Kings drive first round ratings
The Golden State versus Sacramento matchup in the opening round of the playoffs is one of the most enthralling in recent memory. The series went seven games and was chock-full of salient moments. For instance, Draymond Green stomped on Domantas Sabonis in Game 2 — and consequently received a one-game suspension. Furthermore, De’Aaron Fox showcased why he won the NBA’s inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award, shouldering the Kings’ offensive load down the stretch of games.
However, Game 7 proved to be the series’ crescendo — and the ratings support that. Despite the Warriors routing the Kings 120-100, the game averaged a 5.0 rating and 9.84 million viewers on ABC. This makes it the most viewed first round playoff game since Game 5 of the Kings-Jazz series in 1999 (11.21M).
Furthermore, Golden State’s win peaked at 11.93 million viewers. Excluding the NBA Finals, this is the best playoff audience since the Lakers-Kings Game 7 in 2002 (23.80M).
Ultimately, this series propelled the league’s ratings to new heights. The first round averaged 3.4 million viewers across all networks, which is 15% better than last year and the highest since 2014. Prominent streaming networks are also experiencing surges in audiences. ESPN’s viewership is up 18% from last season and is the greatest it’s ever been (4.52M). TNT averaged 3.5 million in the first round; a high for the last five years and up 6% from last year.
NBA’s Conference Semifinals ratings break records
The league’s burgeoning ratings don’t stop with the first round. In fact, a case can be made that the second round of this year’s postseason is experiencing greater viewership.
For example, Game 3 of the Lakers-Warriors series posted an average audience of 8.4 million and peaked at 9.7 million, per Nielsen. This is the most-watched Conference Semifinals game in 12 years. Moreover, it has the greatest Game 3 audience of a second round game in 24 years.
Interestingly, this game was a blowout, with Los Angeles winning 127-97. It proves the incredulous gravity of star players colliding. In this case, LeBron James is squaring off against Stephen Curry — a playoff matchup that hasn’t been seen since 2018.
Adding to these historic Semifinals ratings is the Celtics-Sixers series in the East. Game 4’s 5.1 million viewers is the most ESPN’s ever recorded in a second round contest. Ultimately, the game peaked at 7.7 million.
This is a highly touted series between two vaunted tandems. Boston is led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, while Philadelphia has James Harden and league MVP Joel Embiid.
With a bevy of star players remaining and a multitude of games left to be played, safe to say this year’s playoff ratings will only continue to break records.
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