The 2025 NBA Finals series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder commenced with a thrilling Game 1 that captivated true basketball enthusiasts. However, despite the on-court excitement, the broader public viewership figures painted a different picture, largely attributed to the matchup featuring two teams from smaller markets, Indianapolis and Oklahoma City, which lack the national appeal of larger market franchises.

Game 1, broadcast on ABC, registered an average rating of 4.7 and was watched by 8.91 million viewers. These figures mark it as the least-watched NBA Finals opener in modern history since Nielsen tracking began in 1988, excluding the pandemic-affected series of 2020 and 2021. This ratings dip occurred even as those tuned in witnessed a high-stakes, competitive game.

The narrative of low ratings starkly contrasts with the quality of basketball displayed. Both the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are characterized as young, fast, and fearless teams, engaging in high-tempo, aggressive play. Game 1 exemplified this intensity, culminating in a dramatic buzzer-beating game-winner by Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton. This shot secured a 1-0 series lead for the Pacers and crucially stole home-court advantage from the Thunder, who now face a pivotal, must-win Game 2 to avoid a daunting 0-2 deficit heading to Indianapolis.

Amidst the widespread discussion surrounding these viewership numbers, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver publicly addressed the situation ahead of the Finals. Silver acknowledged the conversations about ratings but expressed frustration that such discussions often overshadow the exceptional quality of basketball being played and the compelling storylines of the postseason.

Silver highlighted several positive viewership trends leading into the Finals. The 2025 NBA Playoffs overall had averaged 4.5 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT, an increase of three percent compared to the previous year's postseason. Specifically, the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks averaged 7 million viewers, up 10 percent from the previous year's series, and was the most-watched Eastern Conference Finals concluding in six games or fewer in 11 years. The Western Conference Finals featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves also maintained solid viewership, averaging 5.59 million viewers over its five-game span.

Furthermore, the NBA has experienced a significant boom in social media engagement. Through the Conference Finals of the 2025 postseason, the league generated a record 32 billion views across all social media platforms, a staggering 62 percent increase compared to the previous year. Oklahoma City Thunder's star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was a major driver of this engagement, accumulating 864 million views across NBA social media accounts through the Conference Finals, after being the seventh most viewed player during the regular season with 1.06 billion views.

Commissioner Silver defended the current Finals matchup, stating he "loves what's happening right now" and has been an advocate for changes promoting such competitive balance. He emphasized that the presence of so-called "small-market" teams in the Finals is a positive development, reflecting a league where any team can contend. Silver believes that true fans of basketball should be drawn to the Finals by the sheer quality of play, as it features the two teams that have successfully navigated a challenging regular season and grueling playoff rounds.

Silver also mused that the intense focus on ratings, sometimes leaning towards negative aspects, might be part of the NBA's unique culture of self-criticism, which can seep into media coverage. While acknowledging that the league office might explore better marketing strategies, he ultimately accepts this aspect of the NBA's environment. Despite the narrative spun by traditional TV ratings for Game 1, the on-court product remains highly entertaining, and the league is demonstrating significant growth in digital consumption. The stage is set for an intense Game 2 on Sunday night as both teams continue their quest for the championship.