NBC Sports is back with the NBA Playoffs for the first time in 24 years — and the numbers are turning heads.
Through 13 games on NBC and Peacock, the network is averaging 4.9 million viewers. That’s up 58% over comparable coverage last year and the best performance for this window since 1996.
Week two only added fuel to the fire.
Games from April 25–28 averaged 4.9 million viewers across seven contests. Stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Jalen Brunson are delivering must-watch moments — and audiences are showing up.
Sunday, April 26 was the weekend’s crown jewel.
Celtics-76ers Game 4 drew 6.3 million viewers — the most-watched game of the 2026 playoffs so far and the biggest First Round Game 4 in primetime ever. Then Lakers-Rockets Game 4 peaked at 7.2 million — the highest single-game peak of the playoffs — averaging 6.2 million, up a staggering 128% year-over-year.
Monday delivered another milestone. Pistons-Magic Game 4 averaged 5.4 million viewers, up 155% versus last season. It became the most-watched Round 1 Game 4 on a weekday ever.
Saturday’s Knicks-Hawks Game 4 averaged 5.3 million — up 58% — and peaked at 5.8 million.
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