NBA Releases Shocking TV Ratings For 2026 Playoffs

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 19, 2026 7:10 PM ET

Basketball fans are glued into a captivating 2026 NBA postseason.

The NBA touted huge ratings on Tuesday, revealing that each game has drawn an average of 4.5 million viewers through the conference semifinals on ABC, ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. That's the highest amount through the opening two rounds in 29 years.

Making matters more impressive, that number doesn't include Monday's double-overtime thriller between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. One would think that the Western Conference Finals contest should only best the league's formidable playoff ratings.

Last year's playoffs attracted 6.13 million average viewers per game, but that's after 16.6 million viewers watched Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Recapping the NBA playoffs

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after a three-point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

An eventful postseason has given fans plenty of reasons to watch.

The playoffs started with an especially eventful first round in the East. Three of four series required a winner-take-all Game 7, and most of the matchups took a notable turn.

After falling behind 2-1, the New York Knicks throttled the Atlanta Hawks by a combined 96 points in three straight wins. They then swept the Philadelphia 76ers, who pulled off the postseason's biggest stunner.

Down 3-1, Philadelphia shockingly eliminated the Boston Celtics behind a returning Joel Embiid. The seismic twist prematurely booted the betting favorite to win the conference.

The Detroit Pistons were also on the brink of disaster when the Orlando Magic jumped to a 3-1 series lead over the No. 1 seed. Detroit trailed by 22 points at halftime of Game 6 before outscoring Orlando 55-19 in a season-saving second half.

Detroit and Cleveland advanced to play another seven-game series, which the Cavs won with help from a Game 5 overtime win.

The West went a bit more according to plan. Oklahoma City streamrolled the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, who knocked off the Houston Rockets without Luka Doncic. San Antonio set up an epic Western Conference Finals showdown by eliminating the Portland Trail Blazers in five games and the Minnesota Timberwolves in six.

A wild postseason will continue when the Knicks and Cavaliers begin the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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