History’s remake of the classic television miniseries “Roots” drew 5.3 million viewers Monday night — a somewhat modest debut in the face of stiff competition from NBA playoff basketball.

That number was enough to make “Roots” the most watched scripted miniseries premiere in Nielsen live-plus-same day ratings in three years — since “2013’s “Bonnie and Clyde” which premiered on History and sister networks A&E and Lifetime.

Ratings for “Roots” were likely affected by the record-breaking audience that tuned into TNT for game seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals. Nearly 16 million viewers watched the Golden State Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-88 to clinch a berth in the NBA Finals.

The “Roots” premiere was seen by 2.1 million adults 25-54 and 1.8 million adults 18-49. Over the course of three telecasts Monday night, the debut episode drew 8.5 million total viewers.

“‘Roots’ represents what television can do when it’s at its best,” said Nancy Dubuc, president and CEO of A+E Networks. “This project has helped shape the discourse around race and identity at a time when it is needed more than ever. We are looking forward to audiences continuing to experience this powerful and important event over the next three nights.”

A+E Studios produced the “Roots” remake in association with Marc Toberoff and The Wolper Organization. The miniseries is executive produced by Will Packer, Marc Toberoff, Mark Wolper, Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal and Barry Jossen, with LeVar Burton and Korin D. Huggins serving as co-executive producers.

Episode two will premiere at 9 p.m. ET on History.