Last night’s Game 7 produced only one Western Conference champion, but there was certainly another winner: the NBA.

Turner Sports confirmed today that Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors was the highest-rated game in cable TV history. The match-up between two of the league’s most star-studded teams was always expected to be compelling, but it didn’t get off to the start many thought they’d see. After winning Game 1 in Oakland, the Thunder went on to win 2 of the next 3 games, and jumped out to a commanding 3-1 lead, with still another game to be played on their home floor. However, as we now know, the Warriors ran off 3 straight hard-fought victories, and sent KD and his squad off on another early vacation.

History would have been made last night regardless of who won, and the general public seemed to know that. The showdown generated a record 11.2 overnight rating, as 19.8 million viewers were tuned in during the game’s final quarter, setting up what could potentially be the most watched NBA Finals ever.

May 31, 2016