NBA Finals 2026 draw record ratings, best numbers since 2018
The Victor Wembanyama effect and the showdown between the Spurs and Knicks have pushed NBA Finals 2026 television ratings back to levels not seen since 2018, when the Cavaliers and Warriors ruled the league
The balance and drama of these NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are not only keeping fans inside the arena on the edge of their seats – they have also reignited the passion of the television audience.
According to official figures released by the league, Game 2 averaged a massive 16.43 million viewers, with a peak audience of 19.42 million. It marks a remarkable 88% increase compared to Game 2 of the 2025 Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, which drew 8.76 million viewers.
Through the first two games, the series is averaging 16.68 million viewers. To find comparable numbers, you have to go all the way back to 2018, during the final chapter of the historic rivalry between LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Game 1 had already set the tone, averaging 16.93 million viewers and nearly reaching the 20-million mark at its peak.
After all, the product being delivered in prime time has been elite. The first two games were grueling battles decided only in the closing possessions. In Game 1, the Spurs weathered New York’s early surge and controlled the pace for long stretches before the Knicks completed the decisive comeback early in the fourth quarter to secure a 105-95 victory.
Game 2 went beyond imagination. San Antonio held a 104-102 lead with less than a minute remaining. However, a poor pass from Victor Wembanyama intended for Stephon Castle opened the door for New York to take a 2-0 series lead. The Spurs still had a chance to win the game with two seconds left, but Wembanyama’s six-meter jumper rattled off the rim, leaving the Texans facing a two-game deficit.
The tremendous interest generated by the series appears sustainable, and after the dramatic finish of Game 3 – which further cemented Wembanyama’s status as a Madison Square Garden villain – industry projections suggest television ratings are likely to set even more records as the Finals continue. The NBA has rediscovered its golden showcase.