Kings-Warriors Game 4 drew largest first-round audience in 21 years

Entering the 2023 NBA Playoffs,the Sacramento Kings vs. the Golden State Warriors was arguably themost anticipated first-round series.

The Kings, with the mostefficient offense in NBA history, were breaking their 16-yearplayoff drought. The defending-champion Warriors were finally atfull strength and ready to chase their fifth title in nineyears.

Ticket prices were through theroof, with Game 1 going down as the most expensive non-Finals game onrecord.

The series, which is currentlytied 2-2, has not disappointed.

Kings-Warriors has been must-seeTV, and the ratings reflect this. Game 4 between the Kings andWarriors drew the largest audience for a first-round NBA playoffgame across any network over the last 21 years, according toNielsen.

The broadcast averaged 7,523,000viewers, peaking with 10,406,000 viewers during the 6 p.m. ETquarter hour.

🚨 WILD ENDING 🚨Relive the final 5 minutes of Game 4 between the Warriors & Kingsas the game went down to the very last shot! 👀#NBASundayspic.twitter.com/hgVvkD337h

When was the last time afirst-round match-up had this kind of audience?

When Kobe Bryant and ShaquilleO’Neal led the Los Angeles Lakers against the Portland TrailBlazers on April 28, 2002, for an average audience of 8,555,000viewers. That was an elimination game, with the Lakers defeatingthe Blazers 92-91.

The ABC broadcast ofKings-Warriors was the most-watched program across all oftelevision on Sunday, including in all key demographics.

Game 5 between the Kings andWarriors is Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.

While there was some uncertaintyabout De'Aaron Fox's availability for Game 5 due to a broken index finger on hisshooting hand, the All-Star guard told reporters that he'sexpecting to play in front of the rabid Sacramento crowd.

“There’s no if, ands or buts…I’m playing," Fox told Jason Anderson of The SacramentoBee.