The NBA celebrated its most-watched Christmas Day in five years, with an impressive 5.25 million average viewers per game across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals.
This marked a significant 84% increase compared to last year when the league had to contend with a triple-header of NFL games.
In contrast, this year’s Christmas slate consisted of a doubleheader, which allowed the NBA to attract a larger audience and dominate the holiday sports viewership landscape.
Leading the way was the highly anticipated Los Angeles Lakers versus Golden State Warriors game, a thrilling 115-113 victory for the Lakers, which was highlighted by the showdown between two of the league’s biggest stars, LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
This game not only averaged 7.76 million viewers but also peaked at an impressive 8.32 million viewers at 10:30 p.m. ET.
This matchup became the most-watched NBA regular season and Christmas Day game in five years, and it saw a staggering 499% increase in viewership compared to the comparable window in 2023.
The LeBron-Curry rivalry, combined with the intense game finish, clearly resonated with fans and helped propel the overall viewership numbers.
The day began with the New York Knicks’ dramatic 117-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs, which averaged 4.91 million viewers.
This marked the highest viewership for a Christmas Day opener in 13 years and a 98% increase from the comparable window in 2023.
The Knicks-Spurs game set the tone for an action-packed day of basketball, with all five games seeing a year-over-year rise in viewership.
Other notable matchups included the Philadelphia 76ers’ victory over the Boston Celtics, which averaged 5.16 million viewers – a 3% increase from the previous year.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ close contest against the Dallas Mavericks pulled in 4.38 million viewers, up 6%, while the Denver Nuggets’ matchup against the Phoenix Suns saw a remarkable 161% jump, with 3.84 million viewers tuning in.
The Nuggets-Suns game was particularly significant, becoming the most-watched late-window game on Christmas Day in NBA history.
The viewership surge across all games highlights not only the growing excitement around the league but also the increasing prominence of the NBA’s Christmas Day fixtures.
With star-studded rosters, exciting matchups, and high-stakes games, the NBA has firmly established itself as a central part of holiday entertainment for basketball fans.
The dramatic rise in viewership also signals strong fan engagement as the league moves deeper into the 2023-2024 season, suggesting that the NBA’s appeal continues to thrive during the holiday season and beyond.
The combination of star power, engaging gameplay, and festive competition has resonated with fans, making the NBA Christmas Day slate a must-watch event.
This year’s viewership increase sets a new benchmark for the league and raises the anticipation for future holiday matchups.
The NBA has once again proven its ability to deliver compelling basketball to a nationwide audience on one of the biggest sports days of the year.
NBA Christmas Day Up 84 Percent From 2023, Most-Watched In Five Years https://t.co/bHWcjiNGJL
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 26, 2024
