The 2024-25 NBA playoff games kick off with a bang with the surprise of the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The stats and updates of the NBA playoff Game 1 were viewed by many, with the interest of fans peaking the viewership. The most Game 1 playoffs viewership, the NBA has seen in the past 25 years. A record was broken, and we all wonder how many more records with be set and broken in these playoffs. All to know about how the viewer stats went and the performance of the teams during the first weekend.
The viewer record that shocked the NBA
With records presented by Google, the 2025 NBA Playoffs brought the most views in the starting games compared to the last 25 years. The average of the eight playoff games is sitting at 4.4 million viewers which shows an increase of 17% compared to 2024. Game 1, with the Boston Celtics against the Orlando Magic, had 6.69 million viewers. The Detroit Pistons vs the New York Knicks’ Game 1, sparked the interest of 4.12 million viewers.
The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets brought the attention of 4.24 million viewers, which is TNT’s most viewed opening weekend game in the last 8 years. Rising 18% from the 2023-24 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies Game 1, sat at 4.45 million viewers. The most-watched Saturday night playoff game in the centenary is the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves at 5.84 million views sinch 1999.
Game stats of the most watched weekend
Here are the moments the multiple viewers witnessed during the first weekend. The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had heavy points to bring to the team with 32 points and 27 points. Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic scored 24 points and 7 rebounds with the team stats at 48.5% FG for the Celtics and 44.1% FG for the Magic.
The slightly off game for the Los Angeles Lakers was a match with the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the Lakers’ Doncic bringing his all at 37 points however not being enough for a win. Anthony Edwards contributed 22 points and 9 assists for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team stats sat at Lakers, 45.3% FG and Timberwolves, 50.2% FG.
The Golden State Warriors came with the heat with a 47.8% FG with Stephen Curry bringing 29 points. The Houston Rockets did not back down however with a 43% FG, as Jalen Green fought with 26 points and 4 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder contributed 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to the teams 49.2% FG. The Grizzlies had 44.5% FG in Game 1, with team player Ja Morant scoring 28 points and 7 assists.
Who’s playing next in the playoffs
Truly an exciting time and the viewership is only going to rise with all the action on court. The 30th of April awaits the Eastern Conference’s Game 5 with Cleveland Cavaliers with home court advantage against Miami Heat at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland. Continuing Game 5, there are the New York Knicks head-to-head with Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden, New York.
The Western Conference introduces the Denver Nuggets playing at home, against the LA Clippers. Game 5 continues with the Houston Rockets versing the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center, Houston and the final games on the 30th is the Los Angeles Lakers against Minnesota Timberwolves again. Sitting at 1-1, how will this shift after the game?
With all the player and coach altercations, suspensions and gravity defying record-breaking moments in the 2024-25 NBA season, the thrill of it caught the eye of many basketball lovers and it’s clear they want more. Was this the attraction that drew the viewers to rise on occasion? So many unexpected moments in the NBA season and as it’s the beginning of the playoffs, it’s uncertain what we are to expect in the rest of the season and its exciting. The NBA playoffs are still commencing, and the viewership will continue to still be on the rise.
