Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

NBA Viewership Skyrockets During Pacers vs. Knicks Classic Game 1, Creates New Eastern Conference Finals Record

Buzzer drama boosts Knicks vs. Pacers viewership

Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers game was an instant classic breaking multiple viewership records in the NBA. The game one which was played on Thursday had various twists and turns and a thrilling finish to its name.

It was also one of the most watched game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals since 2018. Both the Pacers and the Knicks have been a team to watch out for in the NBA 2025 playoffs. Game 1 more than lived up to the playoff hype.

An average of 6.6 million viewers tuned in, with the numbers peaking at 8.5 million during the wild fourth quarter at 11 p.m. ET. While it was the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics that held the record of the most viewed game 1.

watch tonight's fantastic finish from Game 1 at Madison Square Garden as we rallied from 14 down with 2:40 remaining 👀 pic.twitter.com/wNwqEQe8nW
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 22, 2025

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That game averaged around 7.24 million viewers on the ABC network. Since that 2018 showdown, only Knicks vs. Pacers has come close to matching those viewership heights. It was the fourth quarter mayhem where the viewership peaked.

Stephen A. Stunned by Pacers Comeback

Longtime Knicks fan and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back after the team’s fourth-quarter meltdown. Despite having a good enough lead to close out the game, the Knicks suffered by turnovers and Tyrese Haliburton eventually made the buzzer beater equalizer.

Stephen A. Smith said, “I am having a very, very bad morning. Look at my face. I’m not in a very good mood. I was supposed to be orange and blue skies. It was supposed to be orange and blue skies, okay? But as you can see, there’s rain descending upon us. Thunder. Yes, I’m in OKC, but damn it, I’m talking about the New York Knicks.”

Jalen Brunson was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disastrous Game 1 for the Knicks. The 28-year-old went on to score 43 points with 15-25 from the field. His efforts were what gave the Knicks the cushion they had coming into the fourth quarter on Wednesday.