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
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- Pacers sign C Jahlil Okafor to 10-day contract
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- Clippers sign G Ben Simmons after release from Nets
- Hornets sign F Moussa Diabate to 3-year deal
- Hawks' Trae Young, Mavs' Kyrie Irving named All-Star replacements
- Mavs' Anthony Davis (adductor) expected to miss multiple weeks
- 76ers C Joel Embiid might need further surgery on left knee
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. After making 23 consecutive appearances, Strus was forced to skip Monday's action against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to ankle soreness. He may now be sidelined for a second consecutive game. Newly acquired De'Andre Hunter took over from Strus in the first unit on Monday, scoring 12 points in 23 minutes during a blowout win. Sam Merrill, who had a 29-minute outing off the bench against Minnesota, also benefits from Strus' absence.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (calf) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Soreness in his right calf may end his streak of 14 consecutive appearances. Jerome is coming off a performance that included 15 points and four assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. Craig Porter Jr. and Sam Merrill may take on larger roles off the bench on Wednesday, especially since Max Strus (ankle) is also iffy for the game.
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (ankle) will remain sidelined for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. This will mark his fifth straight absence due to a left ankle sprain. Sexton has one more chance to return before the All-Star break as Utah completes a back-to-back on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Clippers. On Wednesday, we should see Jordan Clarkson get another start in Sexton's place. Since rejoining the first unit, Clarkson has averaged 23.7 points and 4.0 assists while making 4.7 three-pointers per game.
Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (ankle) is questionable to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. He has appeared on the injury report with a right ankle sprain. Day'Ron Sharpe and Trendon Watford will be in line for increased workloads if Brooklyn rules Claxton out for the game. The Nets catch Philadelphia at a good time, as the 76ers finish off a back-to-back, and Joel Embiid is unlikely to play after logging a 38-minute shift against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Both Sharpe and Watford have performed well in limited minutes recently, and a boost in playing time would give them a lift.
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (ankle) is questionable to suit up against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. He may be out for a second consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. This would leave the Mavericks extremely short on healthy frontcourt bodies, as Daniel Gafford (knee) has just joined Anthony Davis (adductor), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and Dwight Powell (hip) on the shelf. Due to the lack of options, Kessler Edwards has begun logging starts, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper played 34 minutes off the bench in Monday's overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings. The latter had a decent showing with 16 points, but Prosper had been anonymous in the previous games.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) may miss a third consecutive contest, as the team lists him as questionable for Wednesday's clash against the Portland Trail Blazers. Following a hugely impressive three-game run of 30-point performances, Porter Jr. has landed on the shelf with a left hamstring strain. During his absence, Julian Strawther has stepped into a larger role. He has posted back-to-back 18-point efforts, averaging 37.0 minutes and 14.5 shot attempts. Christian Braun also currently carries a massive load, as Porter Jr. has joined Russell Westbrook (hamstring) and Payton Watson (knee) on the sidelines.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (Achilles) is considered probable for Wednesday's matchup against the New York Knicks. Despite dealing with Achilles tendinitis, Young has played in eight consecutive games and appears to be on track for another appearance at Madison Square Garden. There is no love lost between Young and the Knicks fans, and he has already had two outings at MSG this season, averaging 24.5 points and 8.5 assists with eight makes from downtown.
