Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

2025 NBA Finals Game 1: Least watched opener since 1988

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Titan Frey | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 1:45 AM ET

The 2025 NBA Finals opened up with a bang, as Game 1 delivered plenty of excitement. Despite this, Game 1 was the least-watched opener since 1988.

Game 1 of this year’s Finals fetched a 4.7 rating and 8.91 million viewers. This made it the least-watched Finals opener—excluding the two COVID-era Finals—since 1988.

Game 1 of the Pacers–Thunder NBA Finals averaged a 4.7 rating and 8.91 million viewers on ABC, making it the lowest-rated and least-watched Finals opener since Nielsen tracking began in 1988—excluding the COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021 series, per @paulsen_smw pic.twitter.com/PzHwJOGy9F

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 6, 2025

In 1988, the Nielsen people meter began to track viewership. This was where NBA Finals viewership really started to matter. So, for the Pacers vs. Thunder Game 1 ratings to be historically low isn’t good news for the NBA.

If the remainder of the series can keep up the dramatics of Game 1, people will watch. It’s a good scenario for the NBA to have two small market teams reach the Finals, as it shows that anyone has a shot at winning a title.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: