The Western Conference Finals also were big for the NBA and TNT. Thanks to the star power of Kevin Durant, the small-market series delivered solid ratings.

From TNT:

TNT’s coverage of the 2012 Western Conference Finals (WCF) between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs – two of the smallest cities among the 56 metered markets with Oklahoma City ranking 44^th and San Antonio 36^th – averaged a 5.0 U.S. HH rating and 7,823,000 viewers. The network’s coverage of the Western Conference Finals isup 16 percent in U.S. HH rating (vs. 4.3) and 13 percent among viewers (vs. 6,939,000) compared with last year’s WCF between the Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.

TNT’s coverage of last night’s Western Conference Finals Game 6 – Oklahoma City’s 107-99 series-clinching win over San Antonio – generated a 6.0 fast national rating and 9,498,000 viewers. The telecast is up 30 percent in rating (vs. 4.8) and 16 percent among viewers (8,154,000) compared to the network’s last Game 6 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns in 2010.

That’s huge for the NBA, and positions Durant to be the league’s next transcendent star if the Thunder win the finals. He’ll leap into the Kobe, LeBron territory, if he isn’t already there.

Naturally, the NBA would love a finals featuring Durant and LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Big game tonight in Boston. Don’t write off the Heat just yet.