The average average audience in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals was 8.76 million, the lowest since 2007
Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals was in Oklahoma City on Sunday night. The Thunder lost games 1, 111-110 and rebounded in Game 2. OKC won a 123-107 game to lead 1-1.
The first game of the 2025 NBA Finals averaged 8.9 million spectators, reaching 11.1 million. In Game 2, the average viewership fell to 8.76 million, with a peak of 9.9 million. The average audience in the second game was 8.76 million, the lowest since 2007. That’s the Spurs and the Cavaliers.
Why did the ratings drop in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals?
Sunday’s Pacers – Thudder NBA Finals Game 2 averaged 8.76 million spectators for ABC, down 29% from Mavericks-Celtics (123.1m), with the lowest finals since the president was hospitalized in Covid (6.78m) at night. pic.twitter.com/sxyirgd32o
– Proud Gerbil lover (@Metalhead684) June 10, 2025
After the Pacers’ exciting comeback in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, one would think the ratings would improve in Game 2. However, the situation in the league is completely the opposite. The ratings of Game 2 dropped from an average of 8.9 million to 8.76 million. In the second game of the 2024 NBA Finals between Dallas and Boston, the average audience was 12.3 million. Since 2007, the ratings from Game 1 to Game 2 have dropped only three times. The 2025 final is one of three finals.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t understand his obsession with ratings. He noted that focusing on ratings masks basketball products on the court. Silver said he found it “a bit unusual.” Although traditional Nelson ratings may be declining, overall online consumption is strong.
The content of the 2025 NBA Finals generated 32 billion views on all digital platforms. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton had 1.5 billion views. Additionally, Silver Commissioner also noted a new $76 billion TV deal to help block the decline in viewership. From 2025-26, Disney, NBC and Amazon are part of the NBA regular season TV contract. Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals is 8:30 PM EST in Indiana at 8:30 PM.
