Those numbers are an 18% ratings decline and 19% viewership decline from last year's NBA Finals opener in which the Boston Celtics faced the Dallas Mavericks. The decline would have been worse had Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers not launched a furious comeback in the final minutes to stun the Thunder.

The viewership numbers made a modest comeback in Game 3 on Wednesday night as the Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. The game in Indianapolis averaged 9.

• ESPN hauled in a ratings record with the final game of the Women’s College World Series. Texas’ 10-4 victory over Texas Tech in the finale of the three-game series drew 2.4 million viewers Friday, up 20 percent year to year and edging the previous high of 2.33 million, set in 2007.