Lakers vs. Warriors was the most-watched conference semi-finals in 27 years

[Im Still Ballin]

[NBA Communications] The Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors series averaged 7.8M viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, making it the most watched Conference Semifinals series in 27 years.

Kings-Warriors:

Game 1(6.26), Game 4(7.5), Game 7(9.8) all on ABC which boosted the ratings of that series. TNT Game 2 (4.32), Game 3(4.12), Game 5(4.29), ESPN Game 6 (5). Average of 5.75m.

Total 40.25 m in 7 games.

This series:

TNT Game 1 (7.5), Game 4 (7.52), Game 5 (7.55), ESPN Game 2 (7.35), Game 6 (8.64), ABC Game 3 (8.35). Average of 7.8m.
Total 46.8m in 6 games.

[1987_Lakers]

27 years? I'm guessing the '96 Bulls-Knicks series in the 2nd round was most watched.

[1987_Lakers]

Game 3 was fun to watch cause I actually watched it with some friends who are Warrior fans, was nice to gloat a little after the win. Game 4 was the most intense.

[Full Court]

Wow. Steph Curry is a huge draw.

[Im Still Ballin]

...

The highest-profile NBA playoff series in some time finished on a high note in the ratings Friday night.

The six-game Lakers-Warriors second round NBA playoff series averaged 7.8 million viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, marking the largest audience for a semifinal series since a five-game Bulls-Knicks series on NBC and TNT in 1996 (11.18M). Outside of the NBA Finals, it ranks as the most-watched playoff series in any round since the 2018 conference finals (Warriors-Rockets: 9.4M; Cavaliers-Celtics: 8.4M).

Friday’s Game 6 averaged a series-high 8.64 million viewers on ESPN, up 38% from Grizzlies-Warriors last year (6.28M) and the most-watched first or second round playoff game on cable in 13 years — since the final game of LeBron James’ first run with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 (Cavaliers-Celtics Game 6: 8.98M).

The previous high over that span was 8.15 million for a Lakers-Thunder Game 5 clincher on TNT in 2012.

Across all networks, the Lakers’ series-clinching win ranks second only to Warriors-Kings Game 7 on ABC in the first round (9.84M) as the most-watched early round game since 2011 (Lakers-Mavericks Game 4: 8.89M).

With the Lakers maintaining a double-digit lead for the entire second half, viewership peaked an hour into the game at 9.3 million from 11-11:15 PM ET.

All six games of the Lakers-Warriors series rank among the ten most-watched early round games in the past decade. The full top ten is comprised of games from the past two seasons, with Golden State having played in nine. As with all multi-year highs, keep in mind that out-of-home viewing was not included in Nielsen final nationals prior to three years ago.

[Spurs m8]

Well yeah..the Curry era and dynasty Warriors against the manufactured player that simps, casuals and life losers stan

[1987_Lakers]

The six-game Lakers-Warriors second round NBA playoff series averaged 7.8 million viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, marking the largest audience for a semifinal series since a five-game Bulls-Knicks series on NBC and TNT in 1996 (11.18M). Outside of the NBA Finals, it ranks as the most-watched playoff series in any round since the 2018 conference finals (Warriors-Rockets: 9.4M; Cavaliers-Celtics: 8.4M).


Just like I said.

7.8 is a crazy number considering alot of people don't have cable anymore and a bunch of people watch these games on illegal streams which they don't count.

[kawhileonard2]

2020 Finals was the worst rated all time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Fi...vision_ratings

[SATAN]

Wow! All those people tuned in to watch LeBron James humiliate Steph Curry again!

[Spurs m8]

2020 Finals was the worst rated all time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Fi...vision_ratings

Yeah...makes sense, wasn't real

[Bawkish]

Conspiracy Theory time: Would they allow a Miami - Denver finals over the most celebrated rivalry of all time in Lakers - Boston??

[Lakers Legend#32]

Mostly because of the Lakers.

[SATAN]

Conspiracy Theory time:

How about no? NBA fans

[Spurs m8]

Conspiracy Theory time: Would they allow a Miami - Denver finals over the most celebrated rivalry of all time in Lakers - Boston??

Fair point...fake league and baldy silver would love it