What did viewership numbers reveal about Game 1 of NBA Finals between Mavs and Celtics?

Game 1 of the NBA Finals has passed and the viewership numbers are in.

According to ESPN and the NBA, Thursday’s night showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics averaged 11 million viewers and peaked at 12 million between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.

The network reported that the matchup posted the largest Game 1 audience share on ABC at 20.3%. It also recorded an audience share figure of 49.6% in the 18-34 demographic.

It wasn’t all positive, though. Sports Media Watch reported an average of 10.99 million viewers for the game with a 5.7 rating, joining the opening games of the 2020 and 2021 NBA Finals as some of the league’s lowest rated. Game 1 of the 2020 Finals had a 4.1 rating and averaged 7.69 million viewers, while Game 1 in 2021 was rated at 4.5 with 8.70 million viewers.

Despite a 30-point performance from Luka Doncic and a strong third-quarter push, the Mavericks were overmatched in a 107-89 loss to the Celtics on Thursday night. Boston found a rhythm early and closed out the first quarter with a 17-point advantage, giving the Celtics a huge momentum boost in front of the TD Garden crowd.

Will viewership numbers rise as the Finals move along? Dallas will look to even things up when Game 2 tips off at 7 p.m. Sunday in Boston.

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.