Celtics-Lakers on ABC becomes the most-watched regular-season game in 7 years

ESPN's broadcast of the Boston Celtics' 111-101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on the March 8 edition of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop drew an impressive 4,605,000 viewers, making it the highest-rated regular season NBA game in seven years, since 2018 (excluding Christmas). Viewership for the game was up a remarkable 92 percent compared to last year's similar time slot.

According to Nielsen, NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop – the premier, national NBA game of the week – broadcast peaked with 5,342,000 viewers from 9:15-9:29 p.m. ET. The Celtics vs. Lakers game was available across ABC, ESPN+ and Disney+.

The Celtics vs. Lakers game on ABC was the most-watched program in primetime for Saturday March 8. ESPN’s NBA viewership for the 2024-25 regular season is even with last year.

The Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry host the New York Knicks and Karl Anthony-Towns on the March 15 edition of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop at 8:30 p.m. ET. Mike Breen and analysts Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson will provide commentary with Lisa Salters reporting.