NBA ratings took a dip at the start of the season, but Wednesday’s highly anticipated return of Stephen Curry for the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Boston Celtics marked a significant viewership boost.
This matchup, where the Warriors triumphed over the Celtics, became the most-watched NBA game since Opening Night, drawing a 1.2 rating and attracting 2.14 million viewers on ESPN.
This game delivered a notable 77% increase from the average viewership of ESPN’s NBA broadcasts over the season’s first two weeks. For context, the network’s NBA games averaged 1.21 million viewers in that span, reflecting a 34% decrease from the same period last year, when games averaged 1.84 million viewers.
The NBA has been facing tough competition for viewership, contending with a World Series featuring high-profile teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, alongside extensive election coverage, both of which have drawn significant audiences away from early-season NBA broadcasts.
Stephen Curry's Return Against Celtics Gives NBA Ratings Boost https://t.co/NeBHrmg128
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 8, 2024
