The 2025 NBA Finals have delivered on drama, but according to some fans, they’ve missed the mark on presentation.
From court visuals to lackluster ratings, the first two games between the Pacers and Thunder have stirred up more social media backlash than buzzer-beaters. So NBA commissioner Adam Silver decided to step in and address it all, on national television, no less.
Adam Silver stopped by NBA Countdown to talk on-court decals, NBA ratings and more 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ll0KP13i2q
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 12, 2025
“I’ve seen some of the chat on social media about the on-court decals,” Silver said live during ESPN’s NBA Countdown. “People don’t realise, they went away a decade ago. There were claims, Kendrick [Perkins] knows…they were slippery.”
He gestured to Perkins, who nodded knowingly.
Instead, the league opted for virtual Finals graphics on the court for Game 2. Problem is, fans weren’t buying it. The quality was rough, and it didn’t give that distinct “Finals feel” viewers are used to.
“We’re back to adding them virtually,” Silver continued. “So those are on.”
But that wasn’t the only criticism.
Game 1 averaged just 8.91 million viewers, down 19 percent in viewership and the least-watched Game 1 in Nielsen meter history outside of the pandemic years.
Game 2 wasn’t much better. It pulled 8.76 million, second-worst since 2007, again excluding the 2020 bubble, according to Sports Media Watch.
Still, Silver pointed out a silver lining, if you will.
“As a media matter, people compare us to 20 years ago,” he said. “But Games 1 and 2 are the highest-rated programs on TV in May and June so far. If something beats us, it’ll be another sports program.”
Despite the ratings noise, Indiana’s 116-107 Game 3 win gave them a 2–1 lead, and Game 4 tips off Friday. For now, Silver’s hoping the drama on the court keeps shining brighter than the graphics off it.
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