Thunder vs. Warriors Game 7 Was NBA's Highest-Rated Game Ever on Cable TV

The Golden State Warriors' 96-88 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals was the highest-rated NBA game in cable television history. 

Austin Karp of SportsBusiness Daily first reported the record-setting 11.2 overnight rating on TNT. Turner Sports PR confirmed the news Tuesday.

Turner Sports PR later announced that the game averaged nearly 16 million viewers and was TNT's most watched program ever. The clash between the Warriors and Thunder was also the most watched non-Finals NBA telecast since Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers, per the release.

The series, which saw the Thunder take a 3-1 lead before the Warriors stormed back to win the final three games, was a ratings success. Game 6 was the highest-rated game of the season with a 7.9 overnight rating, per Turner Sports PR, before Monday night.

Game 7 wrapped up a jam-packed Memorial Day weekend sports schedule, which also included IndyCar's Indianapolis 500, NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600, Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final and a multitude of nationally broadcast MLB games, among other events. The finale between the Warriors and Thunder outrated them all, according to Turner Sports PR, which also provided a look at the top markets:

The Warriors fought off elimination for the third straight time Monday night. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 57 of the team's 96 points as they overcame a 13-point deficit en route to punching their ticket to the Finals with an eight-point win.

In turn, Golden State moves on to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals in a rematch of last season's championship. Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated expects a continued ratings bonanza for the NBA:

The Warriors won last year's meeting in six games, but the Cavaliers were missing two key pieces—Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love—for a majority of that series. They are both healthy now, which should make for a more competitive matchup.

Add in the presence of Curry and LeBron James, the sport's two biggest superstars, and all of the pieces are in place for a memorable edition of the NBA Finals. That's music to the ears of television executives.

Editor's Note: Turner Sports is Bleacher Report's parent company.