ESPN is wheeling and dealing with its NBA schedule as the playoffs are on the horizon.
The network, and its sister station ABC, have worked with the league to provide the most compelling matchups possible in national windows. This season, they’ve already flexed 13 games—on pace to match or surpass the record of 15 flexes (in 2014–2015 and 2019–2020), while the typical season has seen about 6–8 games get switched out.
One of the notable trends is that ESPN is prioritizing up-and-coming teams over big markets where the teams have disappointed. This Sunday, Sixers vs. Mavericks was scheduled for ABC. Philadelphia has been decimated by injuries, while Dallas’s stars have also dropped like flies after the team inexplicably traded Luka Dončić the season after reaching the NBA Finals. This game was subbed out for Magic vs. Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers and Thunder, the top seeds in their conferences, have been flexed in four times and three times apiece, respectively. The Grizzlies have been flexed in three times as well.
Next Wednesday, ESPN will air Pistons vs. Heat instead of Pelicans vs. Timberwolves.
“We’ve been aggressive this season in identifying ways to optimize our schedule in order to best serve NBA fans,” ESPN’s VP of programming and acquisitions Matt Kenny told Front Office Sports. “We’ve capitalized on opportunities presented by the historic Luka Dončić trade, while also flexing into the best matchups available. Our Cleveland vs. Orlando game on ABC this weekend is a good example. As always, all of this is possible due to the tremendous collaboration we have with our partners at the NBA.”
Ratings for national NBA games are down about 2% overall this season through last weekend, but are effectively flat on ESPN/ABC. This is the final season of the NBA on TNT; beginning next season ESPN/ABC will split the package with NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video.
