• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025

Lakers, Luka Dončić Seize Super Bowl Spotlight With Star’s Monday Debut

 Luka Dončić’s debut was reportedly pushed back from Saturday to Monday. ESPN flexed both games into its schedule.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Super Bowl has come and gone, but this year, the NBA does not need to wait for the All-Star weekend to capitalize on the end of the NFL season.

Luka Dončić is expected to make his Lakers debut Monday against the Jazz, a game that ESPN announced Sunday would be flexed into its national TV schedule. The five-time All-Star—who was traded to Los Angeles from the Mavericks on Feb. 1—has not played since Christmas Day due to a calf injury.

It was originally widely reported that Dončić was expected to make his debut Saturday against the Pacers, which led to ESPN adjusting its Friday NBA schedule and Saturday college basketball slate to accommodate the Lakers game. However, on Thursday night, TNT’s Jared Greenberg announced that Los Angeles moved back Dončić’s return. ESPN did not revert its weekend schedule and aired the Lakers-Pacers game despite absences from both Dončić and LeBron James.

Despite the delay, Dončić’s debut Monday has the potential to draw a massive audience for the NBA during a relatively quiet period between the Super Bowl and All-Star weekend. The Lakers and James are already among the league’s biggest viewership draws. This season’s most-watched game was the Christmas Day matchup between the Lakers and Warriors (7.9 million viewers), while its most-watched non-Christmas game featured the same two teams on Jan. 25 (3.05 million viewers).

While those two games aired on ABC, Monday’s Jazz-Lakers game will be broadcast on only ESPN. But it could challenge the Nov. 6 game between the Warriors and Celtics (2.14 million viewers) as ESPN’s most-watched game of the season.

Meanwhile in Dallas

The main reason the Mavericks and GM Nico Harrison dealt Dončić was his behavior and work ethic—and how it could affect his ability to stay healthy. However, one of the criticisms of this logic was that the main piece they acquired to replace the 25-year-old was Anthony Davis, who is notorious for missing time due to injuries.

It took just one game for that criticism to turn into reality.

The 31-year-old sustained a noncontact injury in the third quarter of his Mavericks debut Saturday against the Rockets. ESPN reported Sunday that Davis will be out for “multiple weeks” due to a left adductor strain. Davis, who will start a three-year, $175.4 million deal next season, has played more than 70 games just three times in 13 NBA seasons.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 27, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) walks down the court during a time out during the first half at Paycom Center.

Pacers, Thunder Both Built Finals Teams Off Trading Paul George

George is a key piece of trivia in this year’s NBA Finals.

WNBA Championship Ring Boom: ‘Way Bigger. Way More Diamonds’

The Liberty’s WNBA championship ring value soared to $60,000.

Pacers-Thunder Is Lowest-Payroll NBA Finals in Years

Neither team is in the luxury tax, despite rosters with multiple All-Stars.
exclusive

Newly American-Owned Italian Hoops Team Hires Ex-Pelicans Exec as GM

Napoli Basketball is hiring the Pelicans’ former chief of staff as GM.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

Steve Cohen Taps USTA’s Lew Sherr to Reshape Mets Off Field

The MLB club hires a top executive from the U.S. Tennis Association.
May 29, 2025

T-Wolves Face Roster-Building Questions After Another WCF Loss

The team has ownership stability entering this offseason.
Ovi
May 29, 2025

Capitals Say Ovechkin Retirement Email Was Sent in Error

Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time scoring leader and has one Stanley Cup. 
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
SGA
May 29, 2025

Thunder Poised to Dominate for Years After Winning West

OKC has the NBA’s best shot at a dynasty with the new CBA.
May 28, 2025

Mets Casino Project Moves Forward As Cohen Shakes Up Front Office

Scott Havens will depart as team president of business operations.
May 28, 2025

Terry Bradshaw Calls Steelers Pursuit of Aaron Rodgers ‘a Joke’

The Pro Football Hall of Famer lambastes the courtship of the mercurial star.
Ted Leonsis
exclusive
May 27, 2025

Where Do the Mystics Fit in a Rapidly Evolving WNBA?

The WNBA is increasingly divided between the new- and old-guard owners.