The NBA got the gift of ratings on Christmas Day.
The Association delivered its most-watched slate of games in five years, with viewership up 84% from last year across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+. The games averaged 5.25 million viewers in the U.S.
The holiday featured five matchups, including the New York Knicks defeating the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves overcoming the Dallas Mavericks, the Philadelphia 76ers’ upset of the Boston Celtics, and the Phoenix Suns toppling the Denver Nuggets.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors stole the show. Stephen Curry and LeBron James traded blows before Austin Reaves hit a game-winning layup.
That game averaged 7.76 million viewers and peaked at 8.32 million, making it the most watched NBA regular-season game and Christmas Day game in five years.
James took a jab at the NFL following the epic contest, saying Christmas is the NBA’s day.
Ratings are a common subject of discourse of late. The NBA’s ratings were down 19% from last season as of Dec. 14.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver responded by saying the league’s decline in ratings isn’t due to a lack of interest in the sport.
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