NBA Finals Game 1 viewership soars 90% compared to last year
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 6, 2026, 2:42 AM
Last updated Jun 6, 2026
Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks averaged nearly 17 million viewers, marking a 90% increase from the previous season's Game 1. The peak audience reached 19.63 million during the fourth quarter. This viewership ranks as the highest for a Game 1 since 2018, the last time LeBron James faced Stephen Curry in the finals. The game stands as the most-watched finals Game 1 ever on ABC and surpasses the viewership for 15 of the last 16 World Series openers. Game 1 concluded with the Knicks winning 105-95.
- •Game 1 featured the Spurs and Knicks on June 5, 2026.
- •Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson drew significant viewer interest.
- •The game achieved a peak viewership of 19.63 million.
- •Viewership surpassed that of most recent World Series openers.
- •Knicks won the game 105-95.
- 2:42 AMHeat.com — Knicks-Spurs was most-watched NBA Finals Game 1 since 2018 - NBA.com
- 11:00 PMYahoo Sports — NBA Finals Game 1 delivers biggest audience since 2019
- 10:47 PMESPN NBA — NBA Finals Game 1 averaged nearly 17M viewers
- 9:20 PMYahoo Sports — Star power: Viewership for Game 1 of NBA Finals up 90% over last year's series opener
"The star power of Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson helped this year's NBA Finals get off to a huge start in terms of viewership, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the last finals matchup between LeBron James and Stephen Curry eight years ago. Game 1 of the finals matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks averaged nearly 17 million viewers on Wednesday night, up 90% when compared to last season's finals Game 1. It was the most-watched Game 1 since 2018, the most recent time James — then of Cleveland — and Golden State's Curry faced off in the title round.
"Viewership for Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in, and it’s already a major ratings success. The New York Knicks’ victory over the San Antonio Spurs on June 3 averaged 16.93 million viewers, peaking with 19.63 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET. Viewership was up 90% from Game 1 of last year’s Oklahoma City…
"New York's thrilling win over San Antonio averaged 16.93 million viewers on ABC, up 90% from last year's Game 1.
Sources
External links- Heat.comJun 6, 2026, 2:42 AMKnicks-Spurs was most-watched NBA Finals Game 1 since 2018 - NBA.com
New York's thrilling win over San Antonio averaged 16.93 million viewers on ABC, up 90% from last year's Game 1.
- Yahoo SportsJun 5, 2026, 11:00 PMNBA Finals Game 1 delivers biggest audience since 2019
Viewership for Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in, and it’s already a major ratings success. The New York Knicks’ victory over the San Antonio Spurs on June 3 averaged 16.93 million viewers, peaking with 19.63 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET. Viewership was up 90% from Game 1 of last year’s Oklahoma City…
- ESPN NBAJun 5, 2026, 10:47 PMNBA Finals Game 1 averaged nearly 17M viewers
Game 1 of the finals matchup between the Spurs and Knicks averaged nearly 17 million viewers on Wednesday night.
- Yahoo SportsJun 5, 2026, 9:20 PMStar power: Viewership for Game 1 of NBA Finals up 90% over last year's series opener
The star power of Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson helped this year's NBA Finals get off to a huge start in terms of viewership, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the last finals matchup between LeBron James and Stephen Curry eight years ago. Game 1 of the finals matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks averaged nearly 17 million viewers on Wednesday night, up 90% when compared to last season's finals Game 1. It was the most-watched Game 1 since 2018, the most recent time James — then of Cleveland — and Golden State's Curry faced off in the title round.
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