The first round of the NBA Playoffs just made history, drawing the biggest viewership numbers in 33 years. Averaging 4 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC, and Peacock, the league saw a 22% jump from last season—the highest opening-round audience since 1993, well before streaming changed the game.

NBC's return to broadcasting NBA games on network TV gave the numbers a major boost, but all three major rights holders posted gains. The longer series certainly helped: six of the eight first-round matchups went to at least six games, including all four Eastern Conference battles, and three went the full seven.

The crown jewel came last Saturday, when Game 7 between the 76ers and Celtics averaged a staggering 11 million viewers on NBC and Peacock. That's the most-watched first-round Game 7 in NBA history and the largest audience for any opening-round game in 27 years. The matchup also rode a historic wave from the Kentucky Derby, which aired on the same Comcast-owned channels and drew 19.6 million viewers—a record for the horse race.

This playoff surge isn't just an NBA story. The NHL just posted a 68% viewership boost in its opening round, hitting new highs in its current deals with ESPN and TNT Sports. And the NBA wrapped its regular season with a 16% audience increase, reaching a seven-year high. The lone outlier? The NFL Draft, which saw a 12% dip this year, partly due to a less star-studded prospect pool.

With momentum like this, the second round is shaping up to be must-watch basketball. Whether you're tuning in for the drama, the stars, or the gear, this is a golden era for hoops fans.