Warriors-Kings Game 7 Draws Most First-Round Viewers Since 1999

May 2, 2023

If you think people will be tuning in for the Lakers vs. Warriors playoff series, you are probably correct.

And you can base it on how many viewers tuned in for the first-round Game 7 between the Warriors and Kings.

As relayed by Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch and confirmed by the NBA, the Warriors-Kings Game 7 averaged 9.84 million viewers on ABC — making it the largest first-round playoff audience since Game 5 of the Kings-Jazz series in 1999.

Yes, the Kings have been one-half of each of the largest first-round viewerships of the past 24 years.

Along with that, the Warriors-Kings Game 7 also marked the largest first- or second-round audience in the Raptors-76ers Game 7 in 2001, Lewis noted.

Most of the credit for Sunday's big Warriors-Kings audience of course goes to the Warriors, but I'll just say this — I don't think viewership would have been as high if Memphis or Denver had been the opponent (probably higher if Phoenix was, though). The Kings have some appeal.

— Sports Media Watch (@paulsen_smw) May 2, 2023

Officially, Game 7 between the Warriors and Kings peaked with 11.93 million viewers, more than at any time last season with the exception of the Finals.

And what a show fans got to see, as Warriors guard Steph Curry, now 35, erupted for 50 points — the highest ever in a Game 7.