Basketball-Ratings surge for NBA Finals Game 7 after early slump


Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers averaged 16.4 million viewers on Sunday, making it the most-watched Finals game in six years, the league said on Monday.

The Thunder beat the Pacers 103-91 to clinch the title in a physical affair that unravelled for Indiana in the second half after point guard Tyrese Haliburton left with an Achilles injury early in the game.

The viewership was welcome news for the NBA after the clash of two small-market teams yielded disappointing ratings early in the best-of-seven series.

The Game 1 opener averaged 8.91 million viewers on ABC, according to Sports Media Watch, the lowest viewership for the Finals opener in the Nielsen era, outside of the two COVID-affected seasons.

The series that was short on starpower ended with the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capping one of the best individual seasons in NBA history.

The 26-year-old became only the fourth player - and the first since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 - to earn the scoring title as well as league and Finals MVP honours in the same season.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New YorkEditing by Christian Radnedge)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Basketball

Basketball-Ionescu, Cloud carry Liberty torch in WNBA 3-point, skills contests
Basketball-WNBA's 'The Engine' Thomas gets fitting NASCAR tribute
Basketball-Australia police arrest man over online racial abuse of player
Basketball great See Wah passes away at 85
Basketball-WNBA awards expansion franchises to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia
NBA-Lakers confirm sale of majority stake in franchise to Mark Walter
New deal energises cagers of MBC Kirin
NBA-Haliburton injury casts shadow on Pacers' future after NBA Finals loss
NBA-Thunder cap incredible season by beating Pacers in Game 7 to win NBA Finals
Basketball-Haliburton goes down injured in Game 7 of NBA Finals

Others Also Read