NBA Playoffs Kick Off with Highest Opening Weekend Viewership in 25 Years

So here’s the thing, right? The 2025 NBA Playoffs kicked off with a bang, more eyes glued to screens than a chocolate cake at a dinner party. It’s like, 25 years worth of eyeballs just locked in—4.4 million on average, if numbers do anything for you. Which is like, 17% more than last year, so someone’s doing something right. Or maybe folks just needed something to tune into besides cat videos, who knows.

ESPN was over there partying like it’s New Year’s Eve. They hit a new record—4.49 million viewers across ABC and ESPN for just six games. I mean, talk about setting the bar, right? TNT didn’t just sit back and let ESPN have all the fun, though. Their two-game deal pulled in 4.13 million viewers. Eight years since they had numbers that good! Maybe they finally figured out how to broadcast these games in HD or something.

Oh, man, and the Celtics versus the Magic game? That was like, the Super Bowl of first-round games over the weekend, pulling in 6.69 million viewers on ABC and peaking at 8.02 million. It’s like everyone in Boston and Orlando said, “Forget going outside, we’re watching this.” ESPN’s Pistons and Knicks matchup wasn’t too shabby either—4.12 million folks tuned in. Maybe it’s my love for anything in New York, but seriously, that’s a lot of people.

TNT had a Sunday doubleheader, throwing Heat vs. Cavs at folks—and 4.02 million decided it was worth a look. Then Warriors went up against the Rockets, and 4.24 million decided to grab popcorn for that one. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday? Probably, but this was worth it.

Now, Saturdays are for chill, right? Timberwolves vs. Lakers pulled in 5.84 million on ABC. It’s like peak couch potato session right there, topping out at 6.76 million eyes watching—probably two eyes per viewer, but I digress. Then there was the Bucks and Pacers. Least-watched game of the weekend, but still, 2.37 million people said, “Alright, I’ll check it out.” Even when it’s less crowded at the TV party, it’s still a party for someone.