After those countless NBA finals battles, the fans finally saw the rivalry unfold once again. LeBron James and Stephen Curry met on the battlefield during the Western Conference Semifinals. The matchup brought in excitement, electric energy, and an eagerness – who will win this time? The King and the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious after a strenuous six-game series. The contest had fans on the edge of their seats the entire time.
As two of the NBA’s most influential stars collided, history was bound to be made. The Golden State Warriors-Lakers series broke a 27-year-old record. And the fans, while knowing the reason, were in absolute disbelief with the numbers the series achieved.
Stephen Curry and LeBron James rewrite history together
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As individual icons of basketball, both James and Curry have a knack for breaking records. Their resumes are amongst the most elite having achieved in all on the hardwood. So, imagine what would happen if they collided on the same stage after years of stagnancy! The reaction was nothing short of an explosion when it came to the viewership.
The clash between the Warriors and the Lakers drew in an average of 7.8 million viewers all across ABC, ESPN and TNT. The tally was the most for an NBA conference semifinal in the last 27 years.
It seems to be a large number of eyes tuning in for the battle, but why wouldn’t they be? The last time Stephen Curry and LeBron James shared the floor in the postseason came back in the 2018 NBA finals. The Lakers forward was still on the Cleveland Cavaliers while Curry formed a dynasty besides Kevin Durant.
Yes, they had a run-in during the play-in tournament. However, the playoff intensity ranks on a completely different scale. The NBA fans got what they asked for, a scrappy matchup that gave them the theatrics in just six games. It was a battle viewers got to savor once again, but it did bring in a rather sad question. Is this the last of the James-Curry saga in the playoffs?
NBA fans are in shock as the Lakers-Warriors series breaks a 27-year-old deadlock
There were the obvious LeBron James and Stephen Curry stans who directed the glory toward their beloved superstars. But there were also the ones who knew it was the Akron duo that made it possible to have a whopping 7.8 million average viewers consistently tune in. The only wish seemed to be for the iconic battle to never stop.
LeCurry moves the needle https://t.co/DfeSPeBuYn
— • (@TesBurner) May 15, 2023
two generational talents in the second round
Doesn't happen very often— *FATE* (@Grizzlies1991) May 15, 2023
Truly a shame someone had to go home.
— 3030 (@jose3030) May 16, 2023
Thats the effect of Two Legends
— rbrtkng. 07 (@rbrtkng) May 16, 2023
The festivities were soon followed by concern. Fans wondered if the NBA will ever reach such heights in the ongoing playoffs again.
Y'all gotta realize Bron and Curry are 37 and 35. I think we taking them for granted. Im not sure if Jokic,Luka, Giannis,Embiid, bringing in views and fans like this.
— Sam⚜️ (@thewolfofy) May 16, 2023
These views about to drop off a cliff?
— Davin McFarland (@DavinMcFarland7) May 15, 2023
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Watch the ratings drop 😂🤣
— X⁷Game Studio (@MSCJoint) May 16, 2023
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What do you make of the astounding number of viewers the reignited rivalry attracted? Let us know in the comments below!
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