Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals hit just 8.76 m viewers—lowest since 2007. Shaquille O’Neal has sworn off watching the rest. Commissioner Silver calls the ratings obsession “unusual,” citing record social engagement and massive digital viewership as league reassurance.
Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, broadcast Sunday on ABC, saw an average of just 8.76 million viewers—a drop from Game 1’s 8.9 million—and peaked at 9.9 million versus last week’s 11.1 million climax.
This marks the smallest Game 2 audience since 2007 (Spurs vs Cavaliers drew 8.55 m). Surprisingly, viewership declined despite the Finals airing Sunday evening when families typically tune in. Only three times since ’07 has Game 2 rating dropped from Game 1: this year joins that rare list.
At the same time, NBA legend and Finals analyst Shaquille O’Neal announced he won’t watch the rest of the Finals, choosing a Bahamas vacation instead. “There’s a series now,” Shaq acknowledged—“with Pacers stealing Game 1 and Thunder roaring back in Game 2”—but added, “I don’t care who wins.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has dismissed the obsession with ratings. He said focusing on ratings overshadows the high-quality basketball on display and finds the fixation “a little unusual” for a sport known for self-critique.
The league responded to criticism by highlighting that the first two Finals games were the most-watched programs on U.S. TV since early May, that 50% of viewers aged 18–34 tuned in, and that overall social media engagement topped 1 billion views.
Analysts caution that while traditional Nielsen ratings are down—Partly due to the small-market matchup (Thunder and Pacers rank 47th and 25th media markets)—total NBA consumption is booming online.
Finals content across digital platforms has generated over 32 billion views, with Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton combining for roughly 1.5 billion views.
Silver emphasizes that long-term, TV deals totaling $76 billion with Disney, NBC, and Amazon will shield the league from rating dips
Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.