ESPN’s NBA Opening Wednesday delivered its second-largest audience ever

Press Release

October 23, 2026

Author

Ronce Rajan

Contact(s)

Ben Cafardo
ben.cafardo@espn.com

Ronce Rajan
ronce.rajan@espn.com.

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Summary

Opening Wednesday doubleheader averaged 2.5M viewers, up 7% year over year

ESPN’s NBA Opening Wednesday doubleheader averaged 2.5M viewers, up 7% from last year, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel.

The audience ranks as ESPN’s second most-viewed Opening Wednesday ever.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Miami Heat averaged 2.52M viewers, up 16% from last year’s comparable game. The game peaked with 2.81M viewers during the 9:45 p.m. ET quarter-hour.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Golden State Warriors averaged 2.46M viewers. The game peaked with 2.96M viewers during the 11 p.m. quarter-hour.

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