The 2026 NBA Finals matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs continues to deliver historic television audiences.
Through the first four games of the series, the Finals are averaging 19.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched NBA Finals since 1998 and the highest-rated Finals ever aired across ABC and ESPN, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel.
The last Finals to generate a larger audience came in 1998, when the Chicago Bulls faced the Utah Jazz in a highly anticipated rematch and Michael Jordan made his final championship appearance with Chicago.
Nearly three decades later, the Knicks-Spurs showdown has reached a level of national interest not seen since that iconic series.
Game 4 on Wednesday attracted an average audience of 20.9 million viewers, marking the largest audience for an NBA Finals Game 4 since 1998. It also set a new record as the most-watched Game 4 ever broadcast on ABC.
Interest surged late in the contest as viewers tuned in to watch one of the most dramatic comebacks in Finals history.
Audience numbers reached their highest point at 11:15 p.m. ET, when 23.2 million viewers were watching the Knicks complete a stunning 29-point rally against the Spurs.
Compared with the corresponding game from last year’s Finals, Game 4 viewership increased by an impressive 123%. Overall, the series is averaging 116% more viewers than last season’s championship matchup through the first four games.
Game 3 also posted remarkable numbers, drawing an average audience of 23.8 million viewers. The game’s peak audience reached 26.3 million viewers at 11:15 p.m. ET, underscoring the widespread interest surrounding the series.
Beyond basketball, Wednesday’s telecast dominated the television landscape.
The broadcast ranked as the most-watched program of the day across all networks and platforms while also finishing first in every major male and adult demographic category on June 10, further highlighting the Finals’ massive reach and popularity.
2026 NBA Finals Averaging 19.6M Viewers Through Four Games, Most-Watched Since 1998 https://t.co/LJv2YANVAr
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 12, 2026
