• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Dončić’s First Game vs. Mavs Will Test NBA’s Cable Ratings Decline

The Lakers host the Mavericks on Tuesday for the first time since the blockbuster trade that brought Luka Dončić to Los Angeles.

Feb 22, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates after a basket during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

More than three weeks have passed since the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers from the Mavericks, and the new-look teams will face off for the first time Tuesday.

Los Angeles hosts Dallas at 10 p.m. ET, a game that will air on TNT. Unlike Dončić’s Lakers debut against the Jazz on Feb. 10—and the Feb. 8 game initially believed to be his debut—the Mavericks game was already scheduled for national TV before the trade and does not need to be flexed in.

Despite the late start time—and the fact that Anthony Davis, the key piece Dallas acquired from the Lakers in the trade, is out due to an injury he sustained in his Mavericks debut—the game is poised to be one of TNT’s most-watched contests of the season. Dončić’s debut against Utah, which had a 10 p.m. ET start time on ESPN, drew 2 million viewers, the network’s second-most-watched game this year, excluding ABC simulcasts.

The game will also feature LeBron James, still one of the NBA’s most-watched athletes, facing off against Kyrie Irving, his star running mate in 2016 when the duo led the Cavaliers to an NBA title.

As for TNT, its most-watched games of the year were on the NBA’s opening night (Knicks-Celtics, 3 million; Timberwolves-Lakers, 2.9 million) back on Oct. 22. 

Its next-largest draws were games with a storyline entering the night: 2.1 million viewers on Nov. 12 for Mavericks guard Klay Thompson’s first game against the Warriors, his former team, and 1.9 million when the 15–0 Cavaliers battled the defending champion Celtics.

The NBA’s viewership, which is down 5% compared to last year, has been a subject of conversation this season, in part due to double-digit declines to start the year. The league’s recent recovery is due to scheduling more Christmas games on ABC. But viewership has waned for cable-exclusive games, whether on TNT or ESPN, as Americans continue to cut the cord. TNT viewership is down 11% this year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Adam Silver

Congress Wants to Hear from Adam Silver on Gambling Scandal This Week

Silver said he was “deeply disturbed” by the arrests.

MLB Union Chief on Alert As NBA Gambling Scandal Unfolds

The union leader addresses labor and gambling-related concerns.
Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier Will Be Paid Full NBA Salary While on Leave

The Heat are scheduled to pay Rozier $26.6 million for this season. 

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
YouTube/ Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

YouTube in Another Carriage Dispute, This Time With Disney

ESPN and ABC could be dropped from the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
May 17, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) shakes hands with New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) after the top of the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium.
October 23, 2025

Mets, Yankees, and the Nielsen Debate That Won’t Go Away

Weeks after the end of the MLB regular season, viewership issues remain.
Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) keeps the ball away from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second half at Paycom Center
October 23, 2025

NBA’s NBC Return Draws 5.9M Viewers, Best Opener Since 2010

Thunder vs. Rockets peaked at 7.1 million viewers.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Brian Windhorst
October 23, 2025

Brian Windhorst Details Emergency Landing on Omaha–L.A. Flight

The pilots and flight attendants had a communication issue.
October 22, 2025

YouTube Stars Help Bring Back Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’

The show will return in 2026 after an 11-year hiatus.
Candace Parker
October 22, 2025

Candace Parker Wants NFL-Style Coverage From NBA Media

Amazon will stream its first NBA doubleheader Friday.
Netflix
October 21, 2025

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.