Intense Viewership for Warriors-Rockets Game 7 Matches 2009 NBA TV Ratings
Tanked-up Tussles and Ratings Spikes: NBA's First-Round Blockbuster
The initial clash between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets was nothing short of electrifying—and the league loved it, despite the barrage of technical and flagrant fouls charged to both squads. The NBA's higher-ups may have yearned for a tad less rough-and-tumble play, but the ratings and audience participation numbers speak for themselves—this is precisely the epic duel viewers craved!
This buzzing first-round powder keg, along with the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers series, were the two to barrel into a thrilling Game 7. However, the Golden State-Houston showdown established a dominating presence at the launch of the 20225 NBA Playoffs.
Going toe-to-toe on Sunday, the finale game of this war of attrition garnered viewership figures not reported in the NBA since 2009. TNT Sports' exhilarating Game 7 of Warriors vs. Rockets drew an astonishing 6.6 million viewers, topping cable's most-watched Game 7 in a first-round series since 2009.
In total, TNT reported a 4 percent increase in viewership for the first round of the 20225 NBA Playoffs, averaging 3.3 million viewers and clinching the top spot in prime among viewers below 35 years old.
It's no surprise that this series captured the spotlight given the undeniable chemistry between these rivals, who've been locked horns since the Warriors' first title dash in 2015. Stephen Curry and his crew have consistently found themselves squaring off against Houston and its star players, such as James Harden and Chris Paul, come playoff time.
In this installment, Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler led the Warriors against a young, spry Rockets team that knocked off 52 games during the regular season and claimed the 2-seed in the Western Conference.
As ever-marketable as the Warriors have been, it's far from shocking to see Curry carrying the viewership torch at playoff time.
Earlier in the playoffs, the NBA announced an impressive 17% surge in viewership for the opening weekend of its eight Eastern and Western Conference series compared to 2024—marking the most watched NBA Playoffs opening weekend in the last 25 years.
Television ratings and audience engagement have been a contentious topic within the NBA over the last year. While there have been low periods at times, the league keeps seeing growth and increased interest during its marquee games.
Once more, Curry reminds everyone that he's still one of the NBA's leading faces.
- The probable reason for the 4% increase in viewership for the first round of the 20225 NBA Playoffs, as reported by TNT, is the captivating and thrilling Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets.
- The views expressed by the NBA's higher-ups may have favored a less rough-and-tumble style of play during the Warriors versus Rockets games, but the fluctuating audience participation numbers and vow to maintain a top spot in prime among viewers below 35 years old speak for themselves.
- The NBA Playoffs of 20225 will likely be scored as an NBA blockbuster in sports history, given the consecutively electrifying performances of the Warriors and Rockets, with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, and Chris Paul leading their respective teams.
- With the NBA displaying a flourishing viewership during marquee games such as the first-round clash between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, it's evident that the league's games are still probably creating a stir in the world of basketball, confirming its status as a significant player in the NBA.
