NBA Finals Game 3 Draws Record Audience Since 1998
TL;DR
ABC/ESPN’s NBA Finals Game 3 between the Spurs and Knicks drew about 23.79 million viewers (1.1 million on ESPN’s alternate telecast), the largest audience for a Game 3 since 1998; the broadcast peaked at 26.3 million in the final minutes. Through three games, the Finals are averaging ~19.1 million viewers, second only to 2017, and this year is more than twice the viewership of the 2025 series. Game 4 is Wednesday in New York, with possible Games 5–7 if needed.
- TV Ratings: NBA Finals Scores Largest Game 3 Audience Since the Michael Jordan Era The Hollywood Reporter
- Spurs' victory was most-watched NBA Finals Game 3 since '98 ESPN
- NBA Finals 2026: Knicks-Spurs series delivering monster ratings, with viewership up over 85 percent Yahoo Sports
- Spurs-Knicks Game 3 was the most-watched NBA Finals Game 3 since 1998 NBA.com
- Knicks-Spurs Game 2 Notches Another Viewership Win for ABC Front Office Sports
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