Thunder vs. Lakers, Game 6 Breaks Viewer Records

Originally Published: May 5, 2010 3:6 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The general consensus regarding the Oklahoma City Thunder's first playoff run and strong fan support is that it opened eyes all across the NBA.

Well, apparently it opened a lot of eyes.

The Game Six matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder was ESPN's most-watched first round playoff game ever, according to Sports Media Watch.

More than 4.8 million viewers tuned in for the game at the Ford Center, bested only by Game Four of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls series and the first game of the Lakers/Thunder series among first round ratings - both of those games aired on ABC.

Los Angeles is the largest media market remaining in the playoffs - No. 2 nationally - which likely accounts for some of the large numbers.

The game scored a 3.1 rating.