NBA TV Ratings: Viewership Up For 2022 Playoffs, Warriors, Celtics Lead The Way

Through the early part of the second round, the 2022 NBA Playoffs have grabbed the country’s attention more than it has over the past few seasons. Television ratings are up this postseason, drawing increased viewership in both Western and Eastern Conference games.

The latest ratings win for the NBA came Sunday in Game 1 of the second-round series between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies. With a 4.1 rating and an average of 7.71 million people tuning in on ABC, the contest was the league’s most-watched second-round opener in a decade, according to Sports Media Watch.

The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 117-116 in a matchup that was decided on the final possession. Excluding the NBA Finals, it was the league’s most-watched playoff game since the 2019 Western Conference Finals.

The pandemic affected playoff viewership in each of the last two years. The 2020 playoffs took place in the late summer and early fall. The 2021 playoffs didn’t conclude until July, a month later than usual.

Even compared to recent postseasons on the NBA’s normal schedule, the 2022 playoffs have received a ratings bump.

The first two days of the postseason were the most-watched opening playoff weekend since 2011. More people watched the Boston Celtics sweep the Brooklyn Nets than any first-round series since 2016.

An average of 3.49 million viewers made this year’s first-round the NBA’s most-watched since 2018.

The ratings increase comes even though none of the first-round series reached a deciding Game 7. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t participate in the playoffs. Kevin Durant the Nets only played in only 9% of total first-round games.

In the regular season, viewership for national TV games on ABC, ESPN and TNT increased by 19% compared to last year. Viewership was up 3% from two seasons ago.