By Jamal Baker
NDG Contributing Writer
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are underway and questions about viewership being down were put to bed as it was the most watched opening weekend of the playoffs in 25 years.
“ESPN platforms (ABC/ESPN) averaged 4.49 million viewers for their six-game schedule, making it the most-watched playoffs opening weekend in network history. TNT, truTV and MAX’s two games averaged 4.13 million viewers, making it the most-watched opening weekend of the playoffs on the network in eight years,” according to an official release by NBA.com.
The product on the court has warranted a positive return on viewership numbers by producing great games with high level talent on display.
Let’s start in the Western Conference where the number one overall seed Oklahoma City Thunder obliterated the Memphis Grizzlies by 51 points with a score of 131-80 in their game one matchup. The Thunder saw all five of their starters score in double figures, along with Aaron Wiggins scoring 21 points off the bench. The Grizzlies will look to get a bounce back game from Ja Morant in order to shift home court advantage in their favor.
The Los Angeles Lakers fell to a motivated Minnesota Timberwolves squad 95-117 in game one of this series. The Timberwolves deployed a gameplan that allowed superstar Luka Doncic to post gaudy numbers but refused to let his supporting cast get anything going. Minnesota’s role players on the other hand stepped up in a big way—particularly Jaden McDaniels who scored 25 points and Naz Reid who chipped in 23 points off the bench.
The duo of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler is proving to be a formidable one to deal with as they continue developing chemistry with each other. Their chemistry was on full display during a 95-85 game one win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Curry scored 31 points and Butler, who now refers to himself as Curry’s “Robin”, tallied 25 points.
The series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets is now tied after an epic game two performance by Kawhi Leonard. Showing the world his spectacular all-around skillset, Leonard exploded for 39 points en route to 105-102 victory over Denver.
On the Eastern Conference side of the bracket, the Cleveland Cavaliers carried over their regular season success into their opening playoff game, defeating the Miami Heat 121-100. The All-Star backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 57 points and continue to be a problem for opposing defenses.
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 117-98 in their first game of the series. Indiana is a well-coached team that plays with pace and effort on both ends of the floor. The Bucks were without star point guard Damian Lillard, who expects to play in game two. The outcome of this series is contingent upon the health of Lillard and could swing the pendulum back in Milwaukee’s favor.
The defending champion Boston Celtics are the most complete team in the tournament and beat the Orlando Magic 103-86 to open the series with a 1-0 lead. Olympic gold medalist Derrick White scored 30 points while shooting 58.3 percent from three-point range.
Orlando is not going to lay down in this series but they simply don’t have the firepower to compete with Boston’s wide array of offensive weapons.
The playoff matchup between the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks has been one of the most exciting series in the playoffs. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons to a 100-94 win over the Knicks to tie the series 1-1. Cunningham has arrived and the world is starting to fully become aware of who is as a player after scoring 33 points in a must win game at Madison Square Garden.
This year’s NBA Playoff is already off to an exciting start and could go down as one of the most thrilling in recent memory.
