The 2026 NBA Finals are off to a historic start.
ABC’s broadcast of Game 1 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs drew an average audience of 16.93 million viewers, making it the most-watched NBA Finals Game 1 since 2018 and one of the most successful Finals broadcasts of the modern era.
According to Nielsen Big Data + Panel, viewership peaked at 19.63 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET as fans across the country tuned in to watch the Knicks capture a thrilling Game 1 victory over the Spurs.
The audience numbers represent a massive 90 percent increase from last year’s NBA Finals opener and mark the largest Game 1 audience ever on ABC outside of the dominant Golden State Warriors-Cleveland Cavaliers Finals matchups that defined much of the late 2010s.
For the NBA, the ratings surge is a significant victory. The Finals have featured two franchises rich in history but absent from the championship spotlight in recent years. The Knicks are appearing in their first NBA Finals since 1999, while the Spurs are seeking to add another championship to a legacy built by Hall of Famers and sustained by a new generation of stars.
The strong numbers also demonstrate the power of major-market basketball. New York’s return to championship contention has captivated fans throughout the postseason, creating storylines that have resonated far beyond Madison Square Garden.
ABC’s Game 1 broadcast was the most-watched program on television on June 3 and led all programming across key adult and male demographics. The game also became the most-watched NBA Finals contest since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
With anticipation continuing to build around the series, ESPN and ABC will look to maintain that momentum when the Knicks and Spurs meet again in Game 2. If the opening game’s ratings are any indication, basketball fans are fully invested in what could become one of the most-watched NBA Finals in recent memory.
Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals airs Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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