The concerns about the small-market NBA Finals didn’t prevent the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder from delivering a classic in Game 1. They do, however, seem to have impacted ratings as expected.
Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals averaged a 4.7 rating and 8.91 million viewers on ABC, making it the least-watched Game 1 of the Nielsen meter era (since 1988) outside of the league’s COVID-19-fueled ratings nadir in 2020 and 2021, according to Sports Media Watch.
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Those numbers are an 18% ratings decline and 19% viewership decline from last year’s NBA Finals opener in which the Boston Celtics faced the Dallas Mavericks. The decline would have been worse had Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers not launched a furious comeback in the final minutes to stun the Thunder.
Those numbers seemingly vindicate what many have said about a clash between teams from the 25th and 47th largest markets in the Nielsen rankings, with Oklahoma City’s mayor bristling at those concerns ahead of the game.
No matter how many people watched, Game 1 of Pacers-Thunder was a fun one. (Photo by Kyle Terada – Pool/Getty Images)
(Pool via Getty Images)
Of course, it’s also important to maintain perspective about how much ratings matter. Sure, the NBA would love if 100% of households were tuning into its signature event, but the league just finalized $76 billion in television deals for the next 11 season. While ratings are down, the league extracts value from many other areas. Your favorite team will be fine. Your favorite player will be fine.
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NBA’s PR team also pointed to some positives, such as the broadcast reaching 11 million viewers by the time Haliburton made his game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left, strong viewership among the 18-to-34-year-old demographic and a record number of views on social media.
The Pacers’ win could aid ratings down the line, as many viewers might not have tuned in due to how lopsided the series was perceived to be. The Thunder opened as a -800 favorite to win their first title in OKC, the best odds since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.
The Thunder have been so dominant this season that even down 1-0, they are still -350 favorites to win it all. They aren’t unstoppable, though, and plenty of fans could be interested in either a comeback or one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history.
This news was originally published on this post .
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Grizzlies’ Zach Edey undergoes surgery, could miss start of 2025-26 season
<!--> Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey has sprained his left ankle again, and the team said Saturday that the All-Rookie team selection will need surgery.The Grizzlies said the 7-foot-3 Edey was working out this week when he injured the ankle again. Imaging revealed excessive ligamentous laxity, which will be addressed with surgery that will also restabilize his ankle.The two-time National Player of the Year at Purdue missed 12 games early in the season because of a sprained left ankle. He went on to play in 66 games, making 55 starts, and averaged 9.2 points and a rookie-leading 8.3 rebounds.The Grizzlies said a preliminary timeline for recovery will be provided after surgery and that Edey is expected to make a full recovery.Reporting by The Associated Press.Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports […]
Triatlonistka Zimovjanová vyhrála závod Evropského poháru v Rzeszówě
„Měla jsem hodně dobré plavání, což byl základ úspěchu. Na kole jsme pak dobře spolupracovaly, takže jsme si udržely velký náskok před balíky za námi. A Míša (Štěrbová) tam skvěle pracovala,“ uvedla Zimovjanová v tiskové zprávě.„Bohužel jsem neměla moc dobré depo, takže jsem pak v prvním ze čtyř okruhů všechny musela sbíhat. Pak už jsem se ale soustředila jen sama na sebe a nepřemýšlela jsem o tom, kolikátá jsem. Přitom to pro mě byla nejtěžší fáze závodu, protože bylo hrozné vedro. Pořád jsem chtěla zastavit a jen jsem čekala, kdy mě někdo seběhne. Ale nakonec jsem ráda za to, jak to celé dopadlo,“ řekla Zimovjanová.Jedenáctá skončila Dana Přikrylová, za ní doběhla Michaela Štěrbová. Nejlepší z českých mužů Jan Volár obsadil 23. místo.
Triatlonistka Zimovjanová vyhrála závod Evropského poháru v Rzeszówě
„Měla jsem hodně dobré plavání, což byl základ úspěchu. Na kole jsme pak dobře spolupracovaly, takže jsme si udržely velký náskok před balíky za námi. A Míša (Štěrbová) tam skvěle pracovala,“ uvedla Zimovjanová v tiskové zprávě.„Bohužel jsem neměla moc dobré depo, takže jsem pak v prvním ze čtyř okruhů všechny musela sbíhat. Pak už jsem se ale soustředila jen sama na sebe a nepřemýšlela jsem o tom, kolikátá jsem. Přitom to pro mě byla nejtěžší fáze závodu, protože bylo hrozné vedro. Pořád jsem chtěla zastavit a jen jsem čekala, kdy mě někdo seběhne. Ale nakonec jsem ráda za to, jak to celé dopadlo,“ řekla Zimovjanová.Jedenáctá skončila Dana Přikrylová, za ní doběhla Michaela Štěrbová. Nejlepší z českých mužů Jan Volár obsadil 23. místo.
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Gerson pode só se apresentar ao Zenit depois de jogar Copa do Mundo de Clubes pelo Flamengo
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Gerson pode só se apresentar ao Zenit depois de jogar Copa do Mundo de Clubes pelo Flamengo
Zenit quer jogador depois do Mundial (Foto: Reprodução/Instagram) O futuro de Gerson pode estar muito perto de ser ligada ao futebol russo. O Zenit negocia a contratação do meio-campista do Flamengo e vem tentando fechar negócio para ter o atleta, mas este poderá ainda demorar para vir para a São Petersburgo É que há a possibilidade de que o jogador apenas chegue ao time russo depois do encerramento da participação flamenguista na Copa do Mundo de Clubes da Fifa. Segundo a repórter Raisa Simplício, em suas redes sociais, o possível futuro clube do meio-campista brasileiro estaria aberto a permitir que este jogue o certame pelo Rubro-Negro PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Entenda a situação Para isto, o Zenit quer fechar a negociação rapidamente. Com isso, permitiria que o jogador disputasse pela equipe da Gávea o Mundial, e depois de um período de férias, […]
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Grizzlies’ Zach Edey undergoes surgery, could miss start of 2025-26 season
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Triatlonistka Zimovjanová vyhrála závod Evropského poháru v Rzeszówě
„Měla jsem hodně dobré plavání, což byl základ úspěchu. Na kole jsme pak dobře spolupracovaly, takže jsme si udržely velký náskok před balíky za námi. A Míša (Štěrbová) tam skvěle pracovala,“ uvedla Zimovjanová v tiskové zprávě.„Bohužel jsem neměla moc dobré depo, takže jsem pak v prvním ze čtyř okruhů všechny musela sbíhat. Pak už jsem se ale soustředila jen sama na sebe a nepřemýšlela jsem o tom, kolikátá jsem. Přitom to pro mě byla nejtěžší fáze závodu, protože bylo hrozné vedro. Pořád jsem chtěla zastavit a jen jsem čekala, kdy mě někdo seběhne. Ale nakonec jsem ráda za to, jak to celé dopadlo,“ řekla Zimovjanová.Jedenáctá skončila Dana Přikrylová, za ní doběhla Michaela Štěrbová. Nejlepší z českých mužů Jan Volár obsadil 23. místo.
Triatlonistka Zimovjanová vyhrála závod Evropského poháru v Rzeszówě
„Měla jsem hodně dobré plavání, což byl základ úspěchu. Na kole jsme pak dobře spolupracovaly, takže jsme si udržely velký náskok před balíky za námi. A Míša (Štěrbová) tam skvěle pracovala,“ uvedla Zimovjanová v tiskové zprávě.„Bohužel jsem neměla moc dobré depo, takže jsem pak v prvním ze čtyř okruhů všechny musela sbíhat. Pak už jsem se ale soustředila jen sama na sebe a nepřemýšlela jsem o tom, kolikátá jsem. Přitom to pro mě byla nejtěžší fáze závodu, protože bylo hrozné vedro. Pořád jsem chtěla zastavit a jen jsem čekala, kdy mě někdo seběhne. Ale nakonec jsem ráda za to, jak to celé dopadlo,“ řekla Zimovjanová.Jedenáctá skončila Dana Přikrylová, za ní doběhla Michaela Štěrbová. Nejlepší z českých mužů Jan Volár obsadil 23. místo.
Kelvin Joseph, DC Defenders cornerback and former Cowboy, arrested after fatal crash near Dallas
Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph Jr. has been arrested following a fatal crash outside of Dallas on Saturday, according to multiple reports. Joseph, who has not played in an NFL game since 2023, currently plays for the UFL's DC Defenders.The crash, which killed one person, took place just before 5 a.m. on Saturday. A 27-year-old woman, who was driving a motorcycle, was dead when police arrived.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAround 30 minutes later, police received a call from Joseph, who said that he had been involved in the crash, per local reports. Police believed that Joseph was intoxicated.Joseph was then arrested just before 8 a.m. and charged with driving while intoxicated and collision involving death, according to Richardson PD records. Joseph is currently being held by the Richardson PD; no bond has been set.The UFL released a statement to local outlet WFAA."We are […]
Gerson pode só se apresentar ao Zenit depois de jogar Copa do Mundo de Clubes pelo Flamengo
Zenit quer jogador depois do Mundial (Foto: Reprodução/Instagram) O futuro de Gerson pode estar muito perto de ser ligada ao futebol russo. O Zenit negocia a contratação do meio-campista do Flamengo e vem tentando fechar negócio para ter o atleta, mas este poderá ainda demorar para vir para a São Petersburgo É que há a possibilidade de que o jogador apenas chegue ao time russo depois do encerramento da participação flamenguista na Copa do Mundo de Clubes da Fifa. Segundo a repórter Raisa Simplício, em suas redes sociais, o possível futuro clube do meio-campista brasileiro estaria aberto a permitir que este jogue o certame pelo Rubro-Negro PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Entenda a situação Para isto, o Zenit quer fechar a negociação rapidamente. Com isso, permitiria que o jogador disputasse pela equipe da Gávea o Mundial, e depois de um período de férias, […]
Gerson pode só se apresentar ao Zenit depois de jogar Copa do Mundo de Clubes pelo Flamengo
Zenit quer jogador depois do Mundial (Foto: Reprodução/Instagram) O futuro de Gerson pode estar muito perto de ser ligada ao futebol russo. O Zenit negocia a contratação do meio-campista do Flamengo e vem tentando fechar negócio para ter o atleta, mas este poderá ainda demorar para vir para a São Petersburgo É que há a possibilidade de que o jogador apenas chegue ao time russo depois do encerramento da participação flamenguista na Copa do Mundo de Clubes da Fifa. Segundo a repórter Raisa Simplício, em suas redes sociais, o possível futuro clube do meio-campista brasileiro estaria aberto a permitir que este jogue o certame pelo Rubro-Negro PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Entenda a situação Para isto, o Zenit quer fechar a negociação rapidamente. Com isso, permitiria que o jogador disputasse pela equipe da Gávea o Mundial, e depois de um período de férias, […]
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