Game 3 of the NBA Finals drew the largest television audience for a finals game in more than a quarter century, averaging 23.8 million viewers on ABC and ESPN platforms and peaking at 26.3 million at 11:15 p.m. ET, according to figures released Wednesday.The matchup, part of a tightly contested series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, became the most-watched finals game since 1998, when the Chicago Bulls faced the Utah Jazz in Michael Jordan’s final championship run with Chicago.
Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks was the most-watched NBA Finals Game 3 in 28 years (since Bulls/Jazz in 1998), averaging 23.8 million viewers on ABC and ESPN. The audience peaked with 26.3 million viewers at 11:15 p.m. ET.
Game 4… pic.twitter.com/ollFW3O0nF
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 10, 2026The audience marked a significant increase from recent finals broadcasts, underscoring a rebound in national interest for the league’s championship series. Viewership for Game 1 was up 90 percent over the 2025 finals opener.The surge in viewership reflects the star-driven appeal of the series, headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson, who have delivered one of the most compelling playoff duels in recent memory. Wembanyama’s global profile and Brunson’s rise as a marquee New York star have helped the series break through beyond traditional NBA audiences. President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a finals game, taking in Game 3.
