NBA playoffs scoring highest ratings in nearly three decades

The NBA reported continued growth in television viewership through the first two rounds of the 2026 playoffs, highlighting what the league described as its strongest audience figures in nearly three decades.

According to NBA public relations on Tuesday, the first two rounds of the postseason have averaged 4.5 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN, and newly expanded broadcast partners NBC/Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. The league said the figure represents the highest average since 1997, marking a 29-year high in playoff viewership.

In a separate statement, Amazon Prime Video said Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, in which the Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, averaged 6.53 million viewers. The broadcast outperformed last year’s comparable Game 7 in the second round between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets by 3 percent.

On the court, the postseason continues with high-stakes matchups in both conferences. The New York Knicks host the Cavaliers on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, while the San Antonio Spurs opened the Western Conference finals with a double-overtime victory over the defending champion Thunder in Game 1 on Monday.

The league’s strong ratings surge comes amid increased distribution across traditional television and streaming platforms, underscoring continued fan engagement deep into the postseason. -Field Level Media/Reuters