Opening Sunday of NBA Playoffs registers largest audience in 15 years

The Celtics and 76ers set the stage for a busy NBA Playoff Sunday.

The NBA Playoffs are delivering huge audiences.

The opening Sunday of the NBA Playoffs, which featured four games and stars like Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, reached more than 35 million viewers in the USA across ABC and NBC/Peacock.

The opening Sunday of the NBA Playoffs delivered strong viewership across ABC and NBC/Peacock:

🏀 More than 35 million viewers in the U.S., the most in 15 years and up 65% vs. last season.

🏀 4.87 million average viewers, the highest in 15 years. pic.twitter.com/DnA8YMAThc

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 23, 2026

That total was the highest reached in 15 years, and it was up 65% from last year. The games also reached an average of 4.87 million viewers, the highest in 15 years.

Viewers who tuned in saw the Boston Celtics take Game 1 from the Philadelphia 76ers by a 123-91 score and then defending champion Oklahoma City beat Phoenix 119-84. The big surprise of the day came when No. 8 seed Orlando took a 112-101 victory over Detroit in Game 1; Wembanyama’s Spurs beat Portland 111-98 in the final game of the day.