The 2025 NBA Finals hit a viewership low on Sunday night, as Game 2 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers averaged just 8.76 million viewers on ABC.
According to Nielsen figures reported by Sports Media Watch and highlighted by Front Office Sports, the broadcast marked the least-watched Game 2 of the Finals since the 2020 series held inside the Orlando bubble, when the Lakers and Heat drew 7.54 million viewers.
Excluding that year, it was the lowest Game 2 audience since 2007, when the Spurs faced the Cavaliers and attracted 8.55 million viewers.
Compared to last season, the decline was significant.
Game 2 of the 2024 Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks pulled in 12.3 million viewers. Sunday’s figure represents a drop of nearly 30%.
Even the 2021 Finals saw a stronger showing with 9.38 million viewers for Game 2 between Milwaukee and Phoenix.
The dip comes despite an emphatic performance by Oklahoma City, which bounced back from a Game 1 loss with a 123-107 win on its home floor to even the series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points and overtook Jalen Brunson as the league’s postseason scoring leader. He also surpassed 3,000 total points for the season.
Oklahoma City’s Game 2 dominance was clear on both ends, with contributions from Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso helping to deliver the franchise’s first Finals win in 13 years.
But the competitive balance did not translate into viewer interest.
The lopsided nature of the contest, decided well before the fourth quarter, may have contributed to the early tune-out.
This year’s Finals also feature two small-market teams, neither of which had made the championship round in over a decade. The Pacers are appearing in their first Finals since 2000.
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where Indiana will host its first NBA Finals game in 25 years.
