NEW YORK – On April 22, 2025, di NBA Playoffs wey get support from Google, record di highest-viewed opening weekend for 25 years. Di eight games wey dem play for di opening weekend average 4.4 million viewers, na 17% increase wey dey compared to last year.
Both ESPN and TNT Sports show say dem dey collect plenty eyes as dem both break viewership records for di opening weekend of di 2025 NBA Playoffs. ESPN platforms, wey include ABC and ESPN, average 4.49 million viewers, meaning na di most-watched Playoffs opening weekend for di network history. Meanwhile, TNT, truTV, and MAX two games average 4.13 million viewers, di highest for di opening weekend for di last eight years.
Di first game of di Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics series average 6.69 million viewers, becoming di second most-watched Game 1 on ABC for di First Round ever. Di Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks match on ESPN average 4.12 million viewers, making am di second most-watched Game 1 for di network.
Commissioner Adam Silver, wey speak during di CAA World Congress of Sports, express excitement about di figures, saying, “Highest-rated opening weekend in 25 years … so di numbers dey fantastic.” Di high viewership follow major holiday celebrations, as di opening weekend for di playoff coincide with Easter.
ABC’s three games average 5.66 million viewers, wit di Boston Celtics-Magic game peaking at 8 million viewers after dem start time wey be 3 p.m. ET on Sunday. Di Timberwolves vs. Lakers game on Saturday night average 5.84 million viewers, making am di second highest for di weekend.
TNT’s two-game slate on Sunday average 4.13 million viewers, up 23% compared to 2024. Di Heat vs. Cavaliers game average 4 million viewers while di Warriors vs. Rockets match average 4.2 million viewers, up 31% from di previous year.
Even though di regular season experience some decline in viewership earlier, di playoff viewing figures show say interest for di NBA dey rise again. Di average viewers for di regular season dropped about 2%, but di playoff season dey exhibit strong numbers.
Di league announced wey NBC and Amazon go enter as new television partners, while TNT go lose di broadcasting rights, as di NBA begins new 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal. This transition dey happen just as di playoffs dey reach their peak.
Di most exciting series so far na di Western Conference matchup between di Clippers and Nuggets, wey dey separate by just one point after two games. Despite di competitive nature, one pundit mention say di scheduling for Game 3 might affect viewership as it’s sit to air at di same time with another hot series.
For di fans, dis opening weekend dey signify a strong showing for di NBA, and di latest statistics go help quell doubts about di league’s popularity as a viewing sport.
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