The News Life

NBA Finals 2025: Pacers-Thunder Matchup Sets “Sad Record” for Ratings Since COVID-19 Era.Phuong

June 11, 2025 by mrs y

The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a thrilling Game 1, but dismal ratings have raised concerns about the appeal of these small-market teams.

The opening game of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder drew only a 4.7 rating and 8.91 million viewers on ABC, marking the least-watched Game 1 since 1988, excluding the COVID-19-affected years of 2020-2021. According to Sports Media Watch, this represents an 18% drop in ratings and a 19% decline in viewership compared to last year’s opener between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 05: Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kyle Terada - Pool/Getty Images)

The situation worsened in Game 2, where the Thunder’s dominant victory attracted just 8.76 million viewers on ABC—the lowest for a Game 2 since 2007, outside the COVID-19 period. These poor figures seem to confirm concerns about the limited draw of a matchup between teams from cities ranked 25th and 47th in Nielsen’s market rankings.

Despite the bleak ratings, the NBA found some silver linings.

NBA representatives highlighted positive notes, including a peak of 11 million viewers during Game 1 when Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-deciding shot with 0.3 seconds remaining. The league also reported strong ratings among the 18-34 age group and record-breaking social media viewership, reflecting a shift in how fans consume content.

The Pacers’ unexpected victory could shift the ratings trajectory for future games.

 

Indiana’s surprising Game 2 win, leveling the series at 1-1 after being heavy underdogs, may draw more viewers intrigued by the potential for one of the greatest upsets in NBA Finals history. The Thunder opened with -800 odds to win the championship, the best since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, but despite still being favored at -575, they’ve shown they’re not invincible.

Despite low ratings, the NBA’s financial future remains secure.

More importantly, even with declining ratings, the NBA recently secured a $76 billion, 11-year broadcasting deal, underscoring the league’s immense commercial value from diverse revenue streams. This ensures that fans’ favorite teams and stars will remain financially stable, regardless of ratings performance.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • BREAKING: The Entire Baseball World Is SHOCKED as Michael Kay Absolutely LOSES IT Live on Air Over the Yankees’ Stunning Giancarlo Stanton Trade News, Fans Are Furious, Teammates Are Stunned, and the Inside Story Behind This Explosive Move Will Leave You Speechless!
  • GOOD NEWS: JUST HAPPENED! Yankees Receive THREE Massive Bombshell Updates That Have Fans SCREAMING – A Star Returns, A Rookie Explodes, A Blockbuster Trade is Brewing – Analysts Say “This Changes Everything for the World Series Chase” and You’ll Want to See Why Before Everyone Else!.nh1
  • From Troubled Kid to NBA Legend: Shaq Recreates His Magic in Las Vegas.P1
  • Unspoken Friendship: Angel Reese secretly visits Shaq – hospital camera captures emotional moment.P1
  • GOOD NEWS: After Years of Grinding in Silence, Tyler Boudreau’s Dream Finally Comes True as the Yankees Officially Sign Him in a Stunning Move That Has Fans Screaming “We’ve Been Waiting for This!” – The Emotional Backstory Will Make You Cheer.nh1

Recent Comments

  1. A WordPress Commenter on Hello world!

Copyright © 2025 · Paradise on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in