ESPN platforms averaging largest NBA playoffs audience ever through 11 games

April 29, 2026

NBA News

ESPN is generating its largest NBA Playoffs audience ever across its platforms, according to Nielsen. Through 11 games, ESPN platforms are averaging 4,448,000 viewers, up 13 percent from last year. The second weekend of the NBA Playoffs, Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, averaged 5,462,000 viewers on ESPN platforms, up four percent from last season.

This past weekend’s viewership was led by Sunday’s Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on ABC. The Timberwolves victory over the Lakers averaged 7,345,000 viewers, making it the second-most watched Round 1, Game 4 ever on ESPN platforms. The broadcast peaked with 10,274,000 viewers at 6:30 p.m. ET. Viewership was up 32 percent vs. last year’s comparable playoff game (LA Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 4).

April 22, 2025

NBA Playoffs deliver most-wNBA Playoffs deliver most-watched opening weekend in 25 years

NEW YORK – The 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google delivered the most-watched opening weekend of the playoffs in 25 years. The eight-game schedule averaged 4.4 million viewers, up 17% vs. last year.

Both ESPN and TNT Sports set viewership records for the opening weekend of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. ESPN platforms (ABC/ESPN) averaged 4.49 million viewers for their six-game schedule, making it the most-watched playoffs opening weekend in network history. TNT, truTV and MAX’s two games averaged 4.13 million viewers, making it the most-watched opening weekend of the playoffs on the network in eight years.

Game 1 of the Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics series averaged 6.69 million viewers, becoming the second most-watched First Round, Game 1 on ABC ever. On ESPN, the Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks matchup averaged 4.12 million viewers, making it the network’s second most-watched First Round, Game 1 ever.