Here's How Many People Watched Game 5 Of The NBA Finals
DENVER, CO - JUNE 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is presented with the Bill Russell Finals MVP Trophy after game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)
There was a great deal of discussion about the ratings for the 2023 NBA Finals. Some believed that the ratings would suffer without well-known, well-established stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
The series did include an underdog that rose to the peak of the sport in the Miami Heat as well as a well-coached team led by a generational superstar in Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets.
That recipe made for a great result, as the ratings for Monday night's Game 5 should make the NBA very happy.
Monday night's game averaged 13.08 million viewers on ABC and peaked at 17.83 million viewers. That is higher than last year's Game 5 between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, which averaged 13.016 million viewers.
According to Sports Media Watch, it was the highest-watched NBA game since the league returned in the 2020 bubble at Disney World in Orlando.
Millions of viewers tuned in to see Jokic and the Nuggets clinch the title in a close, thrilling game on their home floor.
The Nuggets were the best team in the NBA this season, throughout the regular season and playoffs, and their win was a deserved one.
The Miami Heat gained a lot of respect by becoming only the second No. 8 seed to advance to the NBA Finals.
Despite only winning one game, the Heat should have nothing to be ashamed of and a solid foundation to build on for next season.
