Sixteen years, two different teams, and the same superstar at the center of it all. LeBron James has once again helped deliver the most-watched traditional opening-night game in NBA history, as his Philadelphia 76ers debut against the New York Knicks attracted a record-breaking television audience.
According to official figures released by the NBA and NBC Sports, Tuesday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden averaged an astonishing 7.71 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, surpassing the previous opening-night record of 7.35 million set in 2010.
Remarkably, that previous record also featured James making his debut with a new team.
On October 26, 2010, a 25-year-old James took the court for the first time as a member of the Miami Heat against the Boston Celtics, following his highly controversial departure from Cleveland. The nationally televised game attracted 7.35 million viewers on TNT, establishing a record that would stand for the next 16 years.
Now, at 41 years old and entering his unprecedented 24th NBA season, James has helped break his own opening-night television record.
The historic broadcast also featured the defending champion Knicks celebrating their first NBA championship since 1973, with New York unveiling its championship banner and rings before the game.
However, Philadelphia spoiled the festivities, defeating the Knicks 106-100 in James’ first official appearance for the Sixers.
Viewership peaked at an extraordinary 9.1 million during the final stages of the contest, marking another opening-night record. The game’s average audience represented a 32 percent increase over last year’s early primetime opener between Houston and Oklahoma City.
The entire opening-night primetime doubleheader, which also featured the Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs, averaged 6.41 million viewers, making it the most-watched traditional NBA opening-night doubleheader on record. Although changes in television audience measurement make direct comparisons across eras imperfect, the figures underline the enormous interest surrounding James’ latest career move.
