NBA Finals Game 3, first-ever to air on NFL Sunday, sets new record-low for ratings

Sunday’s Lakers-Heat NBA Finals Game 3 averaged a 3.1 rating and 5.94 million viewers, marking the lowest rated and least-watched NBA Finals game on record, per Sports Media Watch. The previous low was set two nights earlier by Game 2, which averaged a 3.6 and 6.61 million. The low before that was set by last Wednesday’s Game 1, which as previously reported drew a 4.1 and 7.41 million.

Due to the COVID-19 hiatus that pushed back the NBA Playoffs through the summer and fall, Game 3 between the Lakers and Heat was the first NBA Finals game to ever air on an NFL Sunday. The Eagles-49ers game dominated last Sunday, averaging over 15 million viewers.