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2026 NBA Finals draws largest audience since 1998 Bulls

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 9:48 PM

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

2026 NBA Finals draws largest audience since 1998 Bulls

Summary

The 2026 NBA Finals, featuring the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, averaged 20.6 million viewers, marking the most-watched Finals since 1998. The series, which covered five games, highlighted the Knicks’ successful playoff run, including a 13-game win streak. While the viewership is significantly lower than the 29.04 million for the Bulls' Finals that year, it surpassed the 2017 NBA Finals. The audience peak occurred across all television networks during the series, setting records on ABC and ESPN. Details on individual game ratings and demographic breakdowns have yet to be fully released.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Knicks and Spurs featured in 2026 NBA Finals
•Finals averaged 20.6 million viewers
•Viewership doubled from last year's Finals
•Series included a 13-game playoff win streak by Knicks
•Setting audience records on ABC and ESPN

Latest Updates

9:48 PMYahoo Sports — 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks-Spurs most-watched Finals since Michael Jordan capped 'Last Dance' with Bulls in 1998

What they're saying

"
In '98, Chicago punctuated a dynasty for the ages, whereas, 28 years later, New York breathed even more parity into a league that's currently full of unpredictability.
— Yahoo Sportsby Andy Backstrom

Related Teams & Leagues

Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Golden State Warriors Indiana Pacers New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Basketball