The 2024 NBA Finals Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics was a disappointment on multiple levels. Not only did the game fail to capture the attention of viewers, but it also marked the lowest ratings for an NBA Finals Game 1 since 2007.
Despite star power from players like Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, the game averaged a 5.7 rating and 10.99 million viewers on ABC, representing a decline in viewership compared to previous years. Compared to the 2020 Finals between Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers (7.69 million viewers) and the 2021 Finals between Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns (8.70 million viewers), the numbers represent a significant drop in viewership.
The underperformance of both teams in Game 1 likely contributed to the low viewership numbers, despite their impressive star power. The Celtics dominated the Mavericks, leading by as much as 29 points in their eventual victory of 107-89. Despite a brief comeback attempt by Dallas in the second half, the game was mostly one-sided, which likely turned off viewers tuning in mid-game.
The peak viewership of 12.11 million came early in the first quarter when the game was still competitive, but it fell as
