Adam Silver Breaks Silence on Controversial NBA Finals Start: What Fans Need to Know

It’s been quite a whirlwind at the 2025 NBA Finals where the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers have been battling it out—but not all of the buzz has been about buzzer-beaters or slam dunks. Rather, a considerable wave of fans have chimed in with some pointed criticism over how the Finals feel a bit too much like just another regular season clash. Believe it or not, one of the flashpoints was the absence of those iconic Finals court logos—the ones that proudly showcase the Larry O’Brien trophy. Yes, really! After Game 1, the league scrambled to digitally insert these emblems but, frankly, that didn’t exactly win over the crowd, especially during ESPN’s broadcast. I find it fascinating how traditions we take for granted can stir up such emotion when tweaked—or missing. As we gear up for Game 3 in Indiana, NBA chief Adam Silver has stepped forward to address these grumblings and shed light on the league’s rationale, touching on everything from previous safety concerns to surprisingly low TV ratings. It’s an intriguing snapshot of sports, culture, and media all colliding on the hardwood floor. LEARN MORE

AdvertisementIndiana took the series lead with a 116-107 win as the series shifted to the Hoosier State. The Pacers will look to secure a 3-1 lead in Game 4 on Friday night before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.After fans lashed out on social media during Game 1, the league flashed virtual NBA Finals and Larry O’Brien icons on the court at Paycom Center for Game 2. Still, viewers were not satisfied with the quality of the graphics during the ESPN broadcast.

After fans lashed out on social media during Game 1, the league flashed virtual NBA Finals and Larry O’Brien icons on the court at Paycom Center for Game 2. Still, viewers were not satisfied with the quality of the graphics during the ESPN broadcast.

After fans lashed out on social media during Game 1, the league flashed virtual NBA Finals and Larry O’Brien icons on the court at Paycom Center for Game 2. Still, viewers were not satisfied with the quality of the graphics during the ESPN broadcast.

Silver also addressed the low ratings through the first two games of the Thunder-Pacers series. Game 1 was the least-watched first game of the Nielsen meter era (since 1988) outside the COVID-19-marred seasons in 2020 and 2021, averaging a 4.7 rating and 8.91 million viewers on ABC, per Sports Media Watch. The game suffered an 18% drop in ratings and 19% in viewership.”It’s an interesting time in society,” Silver said. “We have two markets that are completely captured by the Finals. Every store you go to, there’s signage. Everybody on the street is wearing team colors. I’ve been doing this for a long time; I don’t remember it being two markets that feel so dominant to have these games.Advertisement