Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between the Thunder and Timberwolves drew just 5.36 million viewers, marking the lowest-rated conference finals opener since 2021.
The NBA’s Western Conference Finals tipped off Tuesday night, but the national audience wasn’t exactly glued to their screens.
Player of the Game
Jalen Williams
26
Jalen Williams
Points
Accuracy
Rebounds
Assists
Tuesday’s Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Western Conference Finals Game 1 averaged 5.36 million viewers across ESPN and an ESPN2 ‘InsightCast’ (366K), marking the least-watched conference final opener since Los Angeles Clippers - Phoenix Suns on ABC in 2021, which aired a month out of schedule on Father’s Day (4.72M), per the Sports media watch.
While basketball fans had plenty of reasons to tune in — from Oklahoma City’s young core to Minnesota’s rise — the numbers tell a different story.
The 5.36 million total audience represents a significant decline, especially for a series as pivotal as the conference finals.
It was also the least-watched conference final game of any kind since the Atlanta Hawks - Milwaukee Bucks Game 5 in that same 2021 postseason, which aired in July (4.92M).
Excluding the COVID-delayed playoffs of 2020 and 2021, it was the least-watched conference final opener since the Memphis Grizzlies - San Antonio Spurs on ABC in 2013 (4.85M) and the least-watched conference final game since Bucks-Raptors Game 4 on TNT in 2019 (5.3M).
The Thunder won that game 114–88, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.