Fans loved Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but the ratings were not great, sadly.
Just 8.91 million people tuned in to watch the Indiana Pacers battle the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking the lowest-rated and least-watched Finals opener since tracking began back in 1988.
But even though a lot of people weren’t tuned in, people thought it was a terrific game.
Former NBA coach George Karl was one of them, and he shared his opinion online.
“The game was fantastic and the Pacers were unbelievable! I believe this could be a special NBA Finals!! And it’s not 1995 – who cares about TV ratings?!” Karl posted on X.
The game was fantastic and the Pacers were unbelievable! I believe this could be a special NBA Finals!!
And it’s not 1995 – who cares about TV ratings?! https://t.co/k0sCbNhMkX
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) June 7, 2025
Those numbers aren’t encouraging, especially for a league that is attempting to build an audience, not lose more of it.
Some people will say it’s because both teams are from smaller markets, while others will claim that the ratings will ramp over the next few games.
Karl made a fair point: times have changed, and people don’t watch the Finals like they used to.
But, ratings aren’t as important as they once were, so there shouldn’t be as big an emphasis on them.
No matter how many people watched, everyone liked what they saw.
At times, the lead was large, but the Pacers ultimately made it a wildly exciting game and one that ended with a dagger.
It’ll be interesting to see if the number of viewers grows in Game 2 and beyond.
If they don’t, a lot of people will once again talk about the NBA’s trouble with its audience.
Ratings aside, fans just want more good games, and they got one the other night.
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