Game 6 of the NBA Finals averaged 13.9 million viewers and peaked at 16.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

Viewership for Game 6 was 75% higher than its closest competition on television. 

Overall viewership was up 22% from last year's Finals, with the series averaging a total of 12.4 million viewers per game.

The Finals averaged a 20.0 share, delivering the highest share for the series in five years. 

The Golden State Warriors opened up as 5-1 favorites to win the 2023 NBA Finals at Caesars Sportsbook.

The Nets and Celtics followed at 6-1 odds, with the Bucks, Suns, and Clippers rounding out teams with single-digit odds.

Caesars Sportsbook reportedly took a $10k bet on the Warriors to win next season's title in late May.

The Warriors opened this current season at 10-1 odds to win the title, behind the Lakers, Nets, and Bucks.

Steph Curry was named the NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career after the Golden State Warriors eliminated the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

All eleven voters from national outlets selected Curry as the Finals MVP. Curry averaged 31.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in the series, all while shooting 48% from the field and 44% from 3.

Curry finished Game 6 with 34 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Curry's high in the series came during a 43-point performance in Game 4 to even the series 2-2. 

"You know this is what it's all about -- playing for a championship and what we've been through the last three years," Curry told ESPN after the game. "Beginning of the season, no one thought we'd be here except everybody on this court right now. It's amazing. It's very surreal, though, very surreal."

The title represents Curry's fourth in the last eight years. 

Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Finals averaged 13 million viewers, up 30% from last year's Game 5.

The game peaked with 15.3 million viewers at 11.15 pm E.T.

Viewership for the NBA Finals is averaging a total of 12 million viewers through five games, up 26% from last year.

On average, one out of every five people watching television on nights when the NBA Finals are on are tuning into ABC.

Adam Silver missed Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday due to health and safety protocols.

The league did not say whether Silver tested positive for COVID-19, or release any further details about his health status.

It is also unclear if Silver will be able to attend Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Part of his role as commissioner is to hand out the league's championship trophy.

Game 6 is on Thursday, with a potential Game 7 taking place on Sunday. 

Steph Curry said he doesn't expect to miss Game 4 of the NBA Finals due to the foot injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of Game 3. 

“I don’t expect to miss a game,” Curry said. “Hopefully it responds well over the next couple days.”

Curry suffered the injury during a scramble for a loose ball. 

Curry compared the current injury to a foot sprain he suffered against the Celtics in the regular season, though he added that it wasn't as bad. 

Steve Kerr said that he took Curry out of the game with two minutes left because the Warriors were down 14 and not because of concern over the injury.

“We will know more tomorrow,” added Kerr. 

Game 4 is scheduled for Friday. 

Andre Iguodala is listed as out for Game 2 of the NBA Finals due to right knee inflammation.

Igoudala has been struggling throughout the playoffs with a cervical disc injury in his neck.

Igoudala played 12 minutes in Game 1. 

The Boston Celtics listed Robert Williams as questionable for Game 2 due to left knee soreness.

“I'm feeling good. Taking it day-by-day, step-by-step. Getting all the treatment I can. Doing everything I need to make sure I'm ready," said Williams on Saturday.

Williams had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks in Game 1. 

Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics averaged a 6.4 rating with 11.9 million viewers across ABC and ESPN2.

There is dispute as to whether that number represents a preliminary or final. Preliminary figures do not include out-of-home viewing, which would lead to an increase in numbers.

The current Game 1 numbers tops only the previous two years for the lowest ratings in a series opener since 2007.

The ratings do represent a 42% increase from Game 1 of last year. The number also represents the second highest rating for a game since the league returned from its pandemic-related hiatus two years ago, behind last year's Game 6.

Prior to 2019, 29 straight Finals games averaged at least a 9.0 rating, with 56 straight games averaging above 14 million viewers. 

Gary Payton II said that he was "ready to go" for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, and that he was no longer feeling any discomfort in his elbow.

Payton was available in Game 1 only for special circumstances and did not play.

Steve Kerr said he anticipates ramping up Payton's minutes.

"I anticipate that he will be available for more than that tomorrow, because the last couple of days have gone pretty well and he's feeling better," said Kerr after practice on Saturday.

Payton had a +21 plus-minus rating in the playoffs before his injury.