• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

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

March Madness Ratings Dip After Record Start: Will Final Four Deliver?

Viewership had been at a record pace through the opening rounds.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; NFL Network personality Peter Schrager on the sidelines before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium.

ESPN Finalizes Deal With Peter Schrager

Schrager will appear across ESPN’s studio programming.
Seattle Kraken

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.

Featured Today

Brehanna Daniels

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a television camera operator during the game between the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Sources: NFL ‘Virtual Lock’ to Opt Out of Media-Rights Deals

Data continues to support an early opt-out of the league’s rights.
March 31, 2025

Yankees RSN and Comcast Clash Intensifies As Deadline for Deal Nears

The invective escalates as a contract deadline approaches Monday night.
March 31, 2025

Former ESPN Reporter Zach Lowe Rejoins Bill Simmons at The Ringer

Lowe worked with Ringer co-founder Bill Simmons at Grantland.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
exclusive
March 28, 2025

ESPN Making Erin Dolan In-Game Betting Analyst for UFL Games

Erin Dolan will provide betting news and notes during game broadcasts.
Both teams line the field during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the NY Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
March 27, 2025

Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Last-Minute Extension in Ongoing Dispute

The two sides will keep negotiating as large-scale issues remain unresolved.
March 26, 2025

Yankees RSN Faces Comcast Blackout Threat Ahead of Opening Day

The Yankees-led RSN and the No. 2 U.S. cable carrier clash again.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
March 26, 2025

RFK-Threatened Pharma Ad Ban Wouldn’t Hurt NFL Broadcasters

It wouldn’t be the first effort to restrict drug ads.