The highly anticipated Game Seven of the NBA Finals, the first since 2016, captivated a substantial audience for ABC and helped the series avoid significant ratings declines. The Oklahoma City Thunder's commanding victory over the Indiana Pacers, which ended with a score of 103-91, averaged an impressive 16.35 million viewers according to fast national figures released by Nielsen. This viewership figure is subject to slight adjustments in the final ratings, expected to be released early Tuesday.
The excitement peaked during the broadcast, with the audience soaring to 19.28 million viewers between 9:45 and 10 p.m. ET, just as the Thunder secured their championship win. This marked a significant moment in the series, making Sunday’s showdown the most-watched NBA Finals game since 2019. In that year, both of the final two games exceeded 18 million viewers, showcasing the enduring popularity of the Finals.
The high viewership for Game Seven also allowed ABC and ESPN to conclude the NBA playoffs on a positive note. The postseason slate, which included a total of 35 games, averaged 6.12 million viewers, reflecting a robust 10 percent increase from the previous year, 2024. This upward trend indicates a renewed interest in the NBA playoffs, despite the overall challenges faced during the Finals.
Despite the spike in viewership for the final game, the broader context reveals some concerning statistics for the 2025 NBA Finals. The series averaged just 10.27 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Finals of this century. The only Finals to record lower averages were in 2003, with 9.86 million viewers, and 2007, which saw only 9.29 million viewers. It's worth noting that the COVID-19 pandemic affected viewership numbers in 2020 and 2021, as those series were played later in the year and also experienced lower ratings.
Prior to Sunday’s broadcast, none of the six Finals games aired this year managed to surpass the 10 million viewer mark. Even with the significant increase in viewership for Game Seven, it still stands as the least-watched game seven on record. The previous low was set in 2005, with 19 million viewers, indicating a notable shift in audience engagement over the years.
In summary, while the 2025 NBA Finals Game Seven provided a moment of excitement and a strong audience for ABC, the overall ratings reflect ongoing challenges in attracting viewers. The NBA will need to examine these trends closely to enhance engagement in future seasons.
