The 2024 NBA Playoffs saw a strong boost in viewership, averaging 3.7 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT—a 6% increase from last year. The opening weekend, which coincided with Easter, averaged 4.4 million viewers, marking the league’s most-watched opening weekend in 25 years.
ABC and ESPN averaged 4.46 million viewers over 12 games (up 14%), with ABC leading at 5.56 million viewers. ESPN’s six games were up 10%. TNT’s 25-game coverage averaged 3.3 million viewers, a 3% increase, highlighted by the Warriors-Rockets Game 7, which drew 6.6 million viewers—the most-watched first-round Game 7 on cable since 2009.
Top games included:
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 4 (7.4M, ABC)
- Magic vs. Celtics Game 1 (6.7M, ABC)
- Warriors vs. Rockets Game 7 (6.6M, TNT)
With stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić now out, the NBA’s second-round ratings will depend on matchups like Warriors vs. Timberwolves, featuring rising star Anthony Edwards, the most-watched player on NBA social media in round one.
