Knicks-Spurs delivers most-watched NBA Finals since 1998

The 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs averaged 20.6 million viewers on ABC and ESPN, making it the most-watched NBA Finals since 1998. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 4-1, winning Game 5 to claim their first NBA championship in 53 years, since 1973. The series also set multi-decade records across social media engagement and merchandise sales.