• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 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

Feb 17, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talks to media during a press conference before NBA All Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Adam Silver Doesn’t Want NBA Europe to Be a ‘Top-Heavy League’ 

Silver said he doesn’t want the prospective league to be like European soccer.

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.

Amazon Sports Chief Says NBA, WNBA Coverage Should Be Celebratory

“There’s too much weird negativity out there,” Jay Marine told FOS.
Charles Barkley

TNT Sports CEO Responds to Charles Barkley Saying Company ‘Just Sucks’

Barkley recently criticized TNT’s handling of “Inside the NBA.”

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert (21) shoots a jump shot during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) at Moda Center.

Trail Blazers Sale and Ownership Group Finalized, Now Awaiting NBA Approval

Dundon’s ownership group also includes the founders of Panda Express.
Valkyries
September 15, 2025

Valkyries Will Try to Remake Ballhalla 50 Miles Away

Golden State will try to stave off elimination in an unfamiliar environment.
September 15, 2025

Warriors $75M Pitch Fails to Sway Kuminga As Season Looms

Kuminga and his representatives want a long-term deal.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) runs to first base during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
September 12, 2025

The $339 Million Mets Are in Jeopardy of Missing the Playoffs

The Mets’ wild-card lead is 1.5 games with 15 remaining in the regular season.
Sep 10, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards (8) fights to keep the ball in-bounds during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena.
September 12, 2025

Connecticut AG Demands Documents From WNBA About Sun Sale Process

The WNBA reportedly prefers to move the team to Houston.
Mar 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
September 11, 2025

Hornets Cancel Sports Betting Night Vs. Heat Over Terry Rozier Tie-In

Terry Rozier is under federal investigation for point-shaving in a 2023 game when he was on the Hornets.
May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
September 11, 2025

Clippers Minority Owner Allegedly Invested in Aspiration to Pay Kawhi

Minority investor Dennis Wong allegedly invested in Aspiration as well.