The Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors series averaged 7.8 million viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, making it the most watched conference semifinal episode in 27 years.
Game 1 of the Lakers-Warriors series averaged 7.4 million viewers. It was the most-watched first conference semifinal game in cable television history.
According to many NBA betting sites, the Lakers have the third shortest odds of winning the championship. Check out sportsbooks that show greater odds for the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.
The Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors series averaged 7.8 million viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, making it the most-watched conference semifinal episode in 27 years. pic.twitter.com/pJxc2dSp60
– NBA Communications (NBAPR) May 15, 2023
Last Saturday night’s Game 3 between the Lakers and Warriors averaged 8.3 million viewers and peaked at 9.7 million. This competition became the third most watched game of the semi-final series since 1999.
Additionally, Game 4 drew 7.5 million viewers, making it the most watched conference semifinal game on any network since 2012. This was also an 18% increase versus 2022. It was a top 3 program among adults under 50, per Warner Bruce Discovery Sports US PR.
Lakers Warriors Western Conference Semifinal series averaged 7.8 million viewers, episode three peaked at 9.7 million viewers
Game 5 drew 7.5 million fans, and became the fifth most watched game of a conference semifinal series on any network in 11 years. This was the best TV show of the day last Wednesday.
Last season’s Lakers-Warriors NBA Play-In — aired exclusively on ESPN, got thean average audience of 5,618,000 viewers, and peaked with 6,149,000 viewers from 12:30 to 1 a.m. ET. At the time, it was the most-watched NBA game on ESPN since the 2019 Western Conference Finals and was a 190% increase over the 2020 NBA Play-In on ABC.
In Los Angeles’ 124-116 win over Golden State on March 5, that ABC game drew nearly 4 million viewers, the largest non-Christmas regular season NBA audience on any network in four years.
.@employee He continues to post 📈 viewership for 2023 # I grow Coverage, including Monday’s TV viewership takeover:
🏀 @the Warriors/@employee: 7.5 million viewers, the most watched Conference Semis Game 4 on any network since 2012
🏀 Top 3 programs among adults under 50 pic.twitter.com/F1wJyigZeO
– Warner Bros. Inc. Discovery Sports US PR (WBDSportsPR) May 9, 2023
Furthermore, in the Warriors’ 120-100 first-round Game 7 victory over the Sacramento Kings, this game averaged 9.8 million viewers on ABC, making it the most watched first-round game of the NBA Playoffs in 24 years.
Since 2015, Stephen Curry has appeared in 32 out of 33 games with at least 13 million viewers. The nine-time All-Star played in all 27 NBA games which also drew over 14 million viewers.
Adding LeBron James and the Lakers to the mix with Curry is the perfect recipe for exceptional ratings.