The 2024 NBA Finals Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics was not only disappointing on the court, but it also failed to capture the attention of viewers. The game averaged a 5.7 rating and 10.99 million viewers on ABC, marking it as the least-watched NBA Finals Game 1 since the low ratings of the 2020 and 2021 Finals. In fact, the 10.99 million viewers is the lowest number for the league since 2007.
Compared to the 2020 Finals between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers (7.69 million viewers) and the 2021 Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns (8.70 million viewers), the 2024 numbers represent a decline in viewership. The game’s ratings dropped by 5% from the previous year’s Game 1 between the Denver Nuggets and the Heat and by 8% compared to the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors in 2022.
The underperformance of both teams in Game 1 may have contributed to the low viewership numbers, despite the star power of players like Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. The Celtics dominated the Mavericks, leading by as much as 29 points in their 107-89 victory. 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 the game progressed. Dončić led the Mavericks with 30 points, but his shooting efficiency was subpar, while Irving struggled with only 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting. The duo also committed seven turnovers, adding to the disappointment of the series opener.
It will be up to the Mavericks, particularly Dončić and Irving, to bounce back and make the series competitive after the lackluster performance in Game 1. The pressure is on them to engage viewers and turn the tide in the Finals.