Updated: Game 1 of the NBA Finals on ABC drew an average of 17.8 million total viewers, the most for the opening contest in 14 years.
The audience for Thursday’s tip-off was up 21 percent from last year’s opener, which pulled in 14.7 million viewers. Last night’s broadcast peaked from 11:30-11:45 p.m. ET with 21.9 million total viewers.
For the 43rd consecutive time, the NBA Finals propelled ABC to win the night across all of television — broadcast and cable — and across all key demos. The Golden State Warriors home win against the Cleveland Cavaliers more than doubled ABC’s primetime competition combined.
Previously: Thursday’s tip-off to the NBA Finals scored its best-ever Game 1 rating on ABC, pulling in a 12.9 per Nielsen’s overnight numbers.
That preliminary total, which is subject to change in final ratings, is currently 24 percent higher than 2014’s Game 1 (Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs). Last night’s back-and-forth broadcast peaked with a 15.6 overnight rating between 11:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. ET. The game ended at 11:57 p.m.
The hometown Golden State Warriors eventually won Game 1 in overtime, 108-100, despite Cavs star LeBron James pouring in 44 points. It is expected that the contest itself will win the night across TV for the 43rd consecutive time, when national numbers are in later today.
Additionally, “NBA Countdown” — ABC’s NBA Finals pregame show — generated a 4.6 overnight rating, which is up 18 percent from last year’s comparable broadcast.
Drilling down locally, Game 1 on ABC delivered a 41.4 rating in the participating Cleveland market and a 28.9 in the Golden State’s San Francisco market. Both numbers mark the highest-rated NBA games on ABC ever in the respective cities.
Here are the Top 10 markets from last night:
1. Cleveland: 41.4
2. San Francisco: 28.9
3. Columbus: 21.1
4. Memphis: 19.9
5. Norfolk: 16.5
6. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale: 16.2
7. Sacramento: 15.7
8. Atlanta: 15.6
9. Richmond-Petersburg: 15.2
10. Raleigh-Durham: 15.0
The NBA Finals will continue with Game 2 on ABC this Sunday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET. “NBA Countdown” will precede the broadcast at 7:30 p.m.
9 NBA Stars Who Took a Shot at Hollywood (Photos)
Michael Jordan
It's only fitting that the greatest basketball player in history would star in the biggest basketball film of all time. His Airness plays himself in "Space Jam" as he comes out of retirement to save the Looney Tunes from being kidnapped by giant aliens.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
After pretending to just be an airline pilot named Roger Murdock in "Airplane!," the famous basketball player angrily responds to one of his critics in the form of a young boy in one of the film's many zany moments.
Gheorghe Muresan
For 1998's "My Giant," Billy Crystal cast NBA center Gheorghe Muresan for the role of Maximus, the titular big man. Crystal plays a huckster who tries to use Maximus' height for his personal advantage. Crystal based the film on the relationship he developed with Andre the Giant while filming "The Princess Bride."
Ray Allen
Just two years into a record-breaking career, Ray Allen turned in a critically-praised performance in "He Got Game" as Jesus Shuttleworth, a high school senior who is pressured by his father (Denzel Washington) into playing for a certain college that can pull some strings and get him out of prison.
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal has played a genie ("Kazaam") and a superhero ("Steel") as well as cameoing in many of Adam Sandler's comedies. But he got his start by playing a college basketball player in 1994's "Blue Chips," acting opposite Nick Nolte as his coach. O'Neal was nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst New Star for his performance.
Dennis Rodman
Hollywood took one glance at Dennis Rodman and decided, "There's a star." The Chicago Bulls forward starred with Jean-Claude Van Damme in 1997's "Double Team." The acting may have been subpar, but the writers were able to mix it in with some truly awful one-liners. Rodman won three Razzie Awards for his performance in the film.
Larry Bird
One of the NBA's all-time greats appeared as himself in "Space Jam," wisely telling Bill Murray that he should stick with acting and give up his basketball dreams. Bird also cameoed in "Celtic Pride," which starred Daniel Stern and Dan Aykroyd as die-hard Celtic fans who kidnap an opposing player to help their team.
Rick Fox
Arguably the player with the most successful transition from the court to the big screen, Rick Fox has participated in films ranging from "He Got Game" to "Meet the Browns," as well as playing a baseball player in a memorable cameo from "Holes."
Darius Miles
Drafted out of high school, Darius Miles rode his early NBA stardom to a role in "The Perfect Score." Acting alongside Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson, he played a high school basketball player who was desperate enough for a high SAT to join a band of students intent on stealing the answers.
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From the hardwood to Hollywood: TheWrap takes a look at some of basketball’s finest who have dabbled in acting
Michael Jordan
It's only fitting that the greatest basketball player in history would star in the biggest basketball film of all time. His Airness plays himself in "Space Jam" as he comes out of retirement to save the Looney Tunes from being kidnapped by giant aliens.
