Inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament Championship Game on ABC and ESPN2 is most-watched non-Christmas game during regular season on any network in nearly 6 years

Saturday’s Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Indiana Pacers in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament Championship Game from Las Vegas, Nev. captured the attention of millions of basketball fans, as it averaged an impressive 4,580,000 viewers on both ABC and ESPN2. This remarkable viewership makes it the most-watched non-Christmas NBA game during the regular season on any network in nearly six years, since February of 2018, as reported by Nielsen.

As the game unfolded, the audience reached its peak with a staggering 5,680,000 viewers at 11 p.m. ET, demonstrating the intensity and excitement surrounding this thrilling match-up. This tremendous turnout of viewers showcases the significant increase in interest compared to last year’s NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC season debut, with a remarkable 46 percent surge in average audience.

Not only did the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship Game surpass last year’s viewership, but it also surpassed the average viewership of last season’s NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, with an impressive 64 percent increase. This stellar performance solidified its position as the most-watched program in primetime and among all key demographics for Saturday, December 9.

Alongside the traditional game broadcast on ABC, fans were also treated to an alternate presentation called NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart, which aired on ESPN2. Interestingly, this debut garnered nearly 10 percent of the overall audience, highlighting the audience’s enthusiasm for unique and engaging coverage of the game.

Before the Championship Game, viewers were able to enjoy NBA Countdown Presented By Door Dash, ABC’s pregame show, which attracted an average of 2,060,000 viewers. This pregame show experienced remarkable growth, with a 30 percent increase compared to last year’s pregame show for the NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC season debut. This surge in viewership further signifies the high anticipation and engagement surrounding this historic tournament.

Overall, the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship Game captivated basketball enthusiasts with its thrilling gameplay and remarkable viewership numbers. It solidified its position as a landmark event in NBA history, drawing in a massive audience and cementing its status as a must-watch game for fans around the world.