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Luka Doncic's Lakers debut scores ESPN huge ratings

Wed Feb 12 5:32pm ET
Field Level Media

Luka Doncic's debut with the Los Angeles Lakers scored massive ratings for ESPN despite coming in a game that started at 10:30 p.m. ET and whose result was never in doubt.

The network's audience for Monday night's game -- a 132-113 Lakers victory over the Utah Jazz -- peaked at 2.55 million viewers. To put that into context, it was up 42 percent compared to last year's average NBA game on ESPN.

The game averaged 2.01 million viewers, according to Nielsen, and was the most-watched game of the day among the coveted demographics of males 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 years old.

That's despite Doncic playing only 24 minutes and scoring 14 points in a game Los Angeles led by 12 points after the first quarter and 25 points at halftime. The Lakers led by as many as 34 points, and Doncic sat out the fourth quarter.


The 25-year-old was acquired from Dallas in a shocking blockbuster trade earlier this month, and Monday night marked his first action since suffering a left calf strain on Christmas Day.

Doncic is listed as questionable but expected to play in Wednesday night's game at Utah, when the Lakers will attempt to extend their winning streak to seven in their final game before the All-Star-Break.

It will give James and Doncic another chance to build chemistry after some have questioned whether two players who are accustomed to being the No. 1 option can be successful together in the long term.

"They're two of the best thinkers, problem solvers that we've ever seen," Jazz coach Will Hardy said. "I don't see any world where those two playing together isn't a good thing. Like I said, their processing speed, mentally, is incredible. And so, I'm sure they'll figure it out."

The Lakers are next scheduled to play on national television on Feb. 22 against Denver, which will air on ABC. Doncic will then pay his first return visit to Dallas three days later

Player Notes
Terry Rozier Wed Feb 12 6:00pm

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami Heat guardTerry Rozier (illness) won't play against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. Rozier has the stomach flu and will miss his first game since January 1st. The 30-year-old is averaging 12.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists in 28.5 minutes across 47 games this season. Davion Mitchellwill likely see an expanded role with Rozier out of the lineup.

Trae Young Wed Feb 12 6:00pm

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (Achilles) will play against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. As usual, Young was initially listed on the injury report with a probable designation, but the team has upgraded him to available. The Orlando Magic contained Young on Monday, but he still boasts impressive numbers for the month. Over six appearances in February, Young has averaged 29.7 points and 11.2 assists in 36.8 minutes.

Anthony Edwards Wed Feb 12 5:50pm

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (hip) will play in Wednesday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team has upgraded his status from questionable to available. Edwards has scored 40-plus points in each of his last three appearances. Another big performance could be on the cards for him on Wednesday, as Minnesota is expected to dominate against a depleted Bucks team that won't have Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (hamstring) in the lineup.

Mike Conley Wed Feb 12 5:50pm

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley (finger) will be out for a third straight game on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran playmaker hasn't yet fully recovered from a right index finger sprain. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been Minnesota's starter at the point guard position recently, with Rob Dillingham also contributing more. Over six starts this season, Alexander-Walker has averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 32.5 minutes.

Moussa Diabate Wed Feb 12 5:40pm

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (eye) will not be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic. He put in an impressive double-double performance against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, bagging 21 points and 10 rebounds, but Diabate also aggravated an eye abrasion in the contest, which will sideline him for Wednesday's action. With Mark Williams still away from the team, Jusuf Nurkic and Taj Gibson will be the main options at center. Nurkic is penciled in for his Hornets debut, but he will be on a minutes restriction, so fantasy managers will only get limited production from him on Wednesday.

Lonzo Ball Wed Feb 12 5:40pm

Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.comreports that Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup with the Detroit Pistons due to an illness. Ball will be missing in action for the third game in a row. With Ball sidelined, rookieMatas Buzelisdeserves a look from fantasy managers. He's started the last few games and posted 12 points, one rebound and one assist across 19 minutes on Tuesday versus the Pistons.

Jaylen Brown Wed Feb 12 5:30pm

Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, sidelining him for a second consecutive game. With Brown unavailable, Sam Hauser looks set for his ninth start of the season. In a starting role this year, he has averaged 11.4 points and 3.0 rebounds, hitting 3.3 three-pointers per game. Hauser's fantasy value relies significantly on his ability to make three-pointers, and Wednesday's matchup looks favorable for him since the Spurs are one of 14 teams that have allowed at least 38 three-point attempts per game this season.

Tyrese Maxey Wed Feb 12 5:20pm

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's meeting with the Brooklyn Nets. Philadelphia's leading scorer was added to the injury report just a couple of hours before tip-off with a questionable tag, and he has now been officially ruled out due to a right knee contusion. Maxey sustained the injury from a knee-on-knee contact on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors. He struggled badly in the contest, going 1-for-9 from the field to finish with five points. With Kyle Lowry (hip) still out, Jared Butler and Jeff Dowtin Jr. will take care of the ball-handling duties against the Nets.

Jonathan Isaac Wed Feb 12 5:20pm

Orlando Magic forwardJonathan Isaac(back) is unavailable for Wednesday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Isaac carried a questionable tag earlier but has since been downgraded to out for the contest. Wednesday's game will be the first the 27-year-old has missed since December 10th. With Isaac sidelined, it gives some of the Magic's younger players a chance step up like Caleb HoustanandJett Howard. However, both players should not be seen as a viable fantasy option for tonight's game.

Jalen Suggs Wed Feb 12 5:10pm

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (quadriceps) has been downgraded from doubtful to out ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Charlotte Hornets. He will be sidelined for a ninth consecutive game due to a left quadriceps contusion. Cole Anthony and Anthony Black will continue to have additional fantasy value on Wednesday. Both players have impressed at times during Suggs' injury layoff, but consistency has been an issue for them. In Wednesday's game, they face a Hornets backcourt that won't have LaMelo Ball (ankle), which may allow Anthony and Black to focus more on offense.

Damian Lillard Wed Feb 12 5:00pm

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (hamstring) will not play on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lillard carried a probable tag on the initial injury report but was downgraded to questionable earlier on Wednesday. Now, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports that Lillard has been ruled out for the contest. Newly acquired Kevin Porter Jr. may receive a start with Lillard absent, with Ryan Rollins working as a secondary playmaker off the bench. Before moving to Milwaukee, Porter Jr. made a pair of starts with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier in the season. He was very productive in these games, averaging 22.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals.

CJ McCollum Wed Feb 12 4:50pm

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (personal) will rejoin the lineup for Wednesday's clash against the Sacramento Kings. He was unavailable Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder for personal reasons. Zion Williamson (conditioning) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup, so McCollum may assume a larger offensive role in the contest. His last appearance was a 31-point effort against the Kings on Saturday. McCollum has also recorded a 36-point outing in the matchup this season.

Vince Williams Jr. Wed Feb 12 4:50pm

Memphis Grizzlies guardVince Williams Jr.(knee) is questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers due to soreness in his left knee. For the Grizzlies, Wednesday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set. Williams played during the first leg, posting seven points, nine rebounds, and one assist across 17 minutes, beating the Suns 119-112 on Tuesday. Ja Morant(knee) is also questionable for the contest this evening, so the Grizzlies might give the two players a longer rest during the upcoming All-Star break. If Williams is out of action, GG Jacksonwill see an uptick in minutes on the floor on Wednesday.

Bradley Beal Wed Feb 12 4:40pm

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (toe) will be absent for a fourth consecutive game on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. He is working his way back from a toe sprain and will now get some extra time to recover, with the league set to head into the All-Star break. Devin Booker (back) and Grayson Allen (knee) will also miss the game against the Rockets, leaving Kevin Durant and Tyus Jones as the only healthy players among Phoenix's top five scorers. Ryan Dunn was limited to only five minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday and should take on a much larger role in Wednesday's game, while Bol Bol might again be involved heavily in the offense. He has averaged 16.5 shot attempts across the past two games, posting 18.5 points.

Grayson Allen Wed Feb 12 4:40pm

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (knee) will sit out the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. Allen is nursing left knee soreness and will skip Wednesday's action after logging 20 minutes in Tuesday's 119-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. With Allen out of commission, Ryan Dunn should receive more playing opportunities, especially as Devin Booker (back) and Bradley Beal (toe) also sit out Wednesday's game. The likes of Royce O'Neale and Monte Morris may also get a lot of burn.

Ja Morant Wed Feb 12 4:30pm

Memphis Grizzlies point guardJa Morant (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. Morant is dealing with left knee soreness after finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal in a win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. If the superstar guard is unable to play, Luke Kennard and Scotty Pippen will anchor the club's backcourt. However, neither player will be a reliable fantasy option this evening.

Devin Booker Wed Feb 12 4:30pm

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Devin Booker (back) will come out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. He hurt his back in Tuesday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies as Phoenix kicked off a back-to-back. With Bradley Beal (toe) also out, Kevin Durant will be the last man standing among the Suns' Big Three. He netted a game-high 34 points in Tuesday's loss against Memphis to become the eighth player in NBA history with 30,000 career points. Given Phoenix's injury situation, Tyus Jones and Ryan Dunn should take on additional offensive duties in Wednesday's game.

Kyle Lowry Wed Feb 12 4:10pm

Philadelphia 76ers point guardKyle Lowry(hip) will sit out Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Lowry is managing a right hip injury and will miss his second straight game. The veteran will now have over a week to recover during the All-Star break. He has averaged only 12.5 minutes per contest this month, and his days as a solid fantasy contributor are gone. With the 38-year-old out of action,Jared Butlermay get a few extra minutes of action behind starting playmakerTyrese Maxeyon Wednesday.

Eric Gordon Wed Feb 12 4:00pm

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forwardEric Gordon (wrist) is unavailable for Wednesday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Due to a wrist sprain, he will miss his second consecutive game. Gordon has only posted five points across three appearances in February. The Sixers will have no issues coping with his absence, while fantasy managers should look for other options.Quentin Grimeswill likely take on some extra minutes with the 36-year-old out. Grimes finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals during 36 minutes in Tuesday's 106-103 loss to the Raptors.

Joel Embiid Wed Feb 12 3:50pm

Philadelphia 76ers centerJoel Embiid(knee) won't suit up against the Brooklyn Nets. Wednesday's game is the second half of a back-to-back set for the Sixers and Embiid will get the night off for rest maintenance. On Tuesday, the big man posted 27 points,12 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 38 minutes in a 106-103 loss to the Raptors. With the 30-year-old sitting out this evening, Guerschon Yabuselewill likely start at center and see an uptick in extra minutes. Veteran center Andre Drummond will also be available to help out the teams frontcourt.


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