The 10 most watched NBA games of 2025: Record-breaking viewership for the Finals

The 2024/25 NBA season witnessed one of the most exciting seasons in recent years. The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors were both eliminated early by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Defending champions Boston Celtics suffered a painful defeat to the New York Knicks, while runners-up Dallas Mavericks failed to even make it past the Play-In stage. basketscores.com assesses the 10 most-watched NBA games of 2025.

The 10 most-watched NBA games of 2025

10. 2025 NBA Christmas Day Games - Combined 47 million viewers

Over 47.2 million viewers in the US watched at least part of the five Christmas Day games on ABC and ESPN. This is the highest number in the past 15 years (since 2010) and represents a 45% increase compared to Christmas Day 2024. Statistically, all five games averaged 5.5 million viewers, a 4% increase from the previous year. Not only on television, the NBA also recorded a record 1.6 billion views of content on social media platforms on Christmas Day alone, a 23% increase compared to 2024.

9. 2025/26 NBA Opening Night - Thunder vs. Rockets (5.85 million viewers)

The NBA opening game between the Thunder and Rockets marked the return of the NBA to NBC after decades. The game averaged 5.85 million viewers, making it the highest-rated opening night game. Viewership peaked at 7.1 million around 10:45 PM ET during overtime. The game ended with the Thunder defeating the Rockets 125-124 after two overtime periods.

8. 2025 NBA Playoffs: Game 1 - Pistons vs. Knicks (4.12 million viewers)

The game averaged 4.12 million viewers on ESPN, making it the second most-watched Game 1 in ESPN history. The New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 123-112, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. This game is remembered for the Knicks' explosive 21-0 scoring run, which allowed them to turn the tide and secure victory in front of their home crowd.

7. 2025 NBA Playoffs: Opening Weekend - Heat vs. Cavaliers (4.02 million viewers)

It can be said that the 2025 NBA Playoffs saw a significant increase in television viewership. This was the most-watched opening weekend of the Playoffs in 25 years, with an average viewership of 4.4 million across all eight games (a 17% increase compared to 2024). The Heat vs. Cavaliers matchup reaching such impressive viewership demonstrates strong audience interest in highly competitive Eastern Conference teams.

6. 2025 NBA Playoffs: Opening Weekend - Warriors vs. Rockets (4.24 million viewers)

This was the most-watched game on TNT Sports' network during that weekend, a 23% increase compared to games during the same period in 2024. The Golden State Warriors won 95-85 on the road at the Toyota Center in Houston, with Stephen Curry scoring 31 points, including five three-pointers. The fact that a first-round game on cable television reached 4.24 million viewers in Game 1 demonstrates the immense appeal of the Warriors' return to the Playoffs and the high expectations for the Houston Rockets' young stars.

5. 2025 NBA Playoffs: Opening Weekend - Grizzlies vs. Thunder (4.45 million viewers)

The game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder averaged 4.45 million viewers on ABC, an 18% increase compared to the same time slot the previous year. This result surprised analysts because the game ended with a very large point difference, which often causes viewers to stop watching early. Despite attracting a large audience, the game was one-sided, with the Oklahoma City Thunder dominating the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80.

4. 2025 NBA Playoffs: Opening Weekend - Magic vs. Celtics (6.69 million viewers)

Average viewership reached 6.69 million on ABC, making it the most-watched game of the entire 2025 Playoffs opening weekend and a 44% increase over the same time slot the previous year. It was also the second most-watched Game 1 in ABC history, surpassed only by the Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets game in 2022. As the reigning champions, the Celtics' opening game attracted significant attention from both neutral fans and casual viewers.

3. 2025 NBA Playoffs: Game 6 - Celtics vs. Knicks (5.73 million viewers)

The Eastern Conference semifinals game between the Celtics and the Knicks was the most-watched program of the day across all television channels in the United States. This was one of the most dramatic second-round series in 2025. The clash between two historically successful Eastern Conference teams guaranteed high viewership. Although the Knicks won this emotional game to force a Game 7, the Celtics ultimately advanced.

2. 2025 NBA Playoffs: Game 7 - Nuggets vs. Thunder (6.34 million viewers)

Despite being a second-round game, it still attracted a large audience, reaching 6.34 million viewers on ABC. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 125-93, officially eliminating the 2023 champions and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. This dominant victory by the young OKC team over a seasoned Nuggets squad highlighted the Thunder's strength that season.

1. 2025 NBA Finals: Game 7 - Thunder vs. Pacers (16.4 million viewers)

Finally, the most-watched game was Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. This was the most-watched NBA game in the past six years, since Game 6 of the 2019 Finals between the Raptors and Warriors. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-91, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 31 points and earning the Finals MVP award. This marked Oklahoma City's first NBA championship since the team moved from Seattle in 2008.

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