The Indiana Pacers’ dramatic 111-110 comeback victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals attracted an average viewership of 8.91 million on ABC.
While the game delivered excitement on the court, it marked a significant dip in television audience, down 19% compared to Game 1 of last year’s Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.
This year’s opener registered as the lowest-rated non-COVID NBA Finals Game 1 since 2007, when the Spurs and Cavaliers drew 9.21 million viewers.
Despite the drop, there’s cautious optimism that the thrilling nature of Indiana’s win, especially given that the Thunder were widely considered favorites entering the series, could generate a viewership boost for Game 2.
Historically, Finals that turn into tightly contested matchups tend to see a steady climb in audience numbers as fan engagement builds.
For reference, Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals between Indiana and the New York Knicks brought in 8.12 million viewers, underscoring consistent national interest in the Pacers’ postseason run.
On the advertising front, ABC is nearing a complete sellout of its commercial inventory for Games 2 through 5.
Should the series extend to six games, network projections estimate that ad revenue could exceed $265 million, a strong financial outcome even amid the dip in viewership.
Game 1 Of NBA Finals Draws Lowest Non-COVID Year Audience Since 2007 https://t.co/HP1OZkg0rt
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 7, 2025
