Spurs-Thunder Game 1 averages record 9.2M viewers, NBA Playoff ratings up 16% through 2 rounds
The Spurs averaged 9.2 million viewers in Game 1, and NBA playoff ratings are up 16% through two rounds.
- On Monday, May 18, 2026, the San Antonio Spurs' 122-115 double-overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder drew a record 9.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, the most-watched Western Conference Game 1 in league history.
- Broadcasting changes expanded network coverage, with NBC and ABC airing games for the first time since 2002, while Nielsen's updated methodology began counting out-of-home viewers and smart TV data last September.
- Playoff telecasts have dominated viewership rankings, accounting for 17 of the top 20 most-viewed sports programs since May 1; the first two rounds of the 2026 playoffs saw 23 games average at least 5 million viewers, the most since 2011.
- Amazon Prime Video achieved a milestone when Sunday night's Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons averaged 6.53 million viewers, marking the platform's first time topping Nielsen's weekly sports ratings report.
- The conference finals feature unprecedented network coverage, with NBC airing the entire Western Conference series while ESPN carries most of the Eastern Conference final; Cavaliers-New York Knicks viewership figures are expected Thursday.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Associated Press News
Spurs-Thunder Game 1 averages record 9.2M viewers, NBA Playoff ratings up 16% through 2 rounds
The first year of the NBA’s media rights deal continues to deliver large amounts of viewers. San Antonio’s 122-115 double overtime victory over Oklahoma City on Monday night was the most-watched Western Conference Game 1 final in league history, averaging 9.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock accor
9.2 million viewers on average, with a peak of 12 million during the second extension.This article "Thunder – Spurs: record audience for a Game 1 of the West Conference Finals!" appeared first on TrashTalk.
Spurs-Thunder Deliver Most-Watched Game 1 In Western Conference Finals History
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder delivered the most-watched Game 1 in the history of the Western Conference finals by averaging 9.2 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. The audience peaked at 12 million viewers for the second overtime. It was the most-viewed program of the night with 6.9 million viewers on NBC. It was the second most-watched game of the playoffs, with Game 7 between the Celtics and Sixers averaging 11 million v…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
