UPDATED with latest: ESPN has once again rejiggered its schedule to highlight superstar Luka Dončić’s debut as an L.A. Laker. Dončić was initially expected to don the purple and gold on Saturday, and ESPN picked up that game before learning that Luka would be out until Monday. Laker fans who tuned in still got to see their team — without Luka or LeBron James — stop the streaking Indiana Pacers behind a career high 45 points from L.A. guard Austin Reaves.
Now, the network has announced it will broadcast Monday’s game in which the Utah Jazz and Lauri Markkanen will visit the Lakers. The game is set to air at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+. All ESPN games are also available to stream via the ESPN App.
PREVIOUSLY on Thursday: Sorry, ESPN. After the network rejiggered its schedule to accommodate the debut of the Los Angeles Lakers new superstar Luka Dončić, the news broke today that Dončić’s return from a calf strain would be pushed back to at least Monday.
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That means the Los Angeles Lakers-Indiana Pacers game that ESPN moved onto its Saturday broadcast schedule will now be Luka-less. Dončić’s potential debut Monday against the Utah Jazz currently has no national broadcast partner. It will be shown in L.A. on Spectrum SportsNet and on NBA TV.
While the blockbuster trade that brought the all-NBA guard to L.A. and sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks happened on Saturday, Dončić has been recovering from the calf injury since Christmas Day. Lakers coach J.J. Redick said earlier this week that his new superstar was cleared to participate in 5 on 5 practice drills but, according to ESPN, Dončić only participated in shoot around. That means he needed another day to get 5 on 5 work in. Redick told the media today that there have been “no setbacks” and that Dončić’s debut was “trending toward” Monday.
PREVIOUSLY on February 5: Just days after the Lakers acquisition of Luka Dončić rocked the NBA, the trade has also now altered ESPN’s weekend lineup, with the network moving off the previously scheduled Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns game to highlight the Los Angeles Lakers-Indiana Pacers game this Saturday. That 4 p.m. ET contest at Crypto.com Arena is expected to be Dončić’s debut with the 17-time champion Lakers. It will also be available on ESPN+ and Disney+.
The top-secret, midnight deal that sent Dončić to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks was widely called “the most shocking trade in NBA history.” It marked the first time that two all-NBA players had been traded for each other during the regular season — the Mavericks got L.A. superstar Anthony Davis. It was all the more shocking given that Dončić is 25 and not even in his prime yet, led the league in scoring last season by averaging 34 points and then guided the Mavericks to an unexpected birth in the NBA finals.
Dončić had been sidelined in Dallas recently with a nagging calf strain, and so missed the Lakers game against cross-town rival the Clippers last night. Turns out the Lakers didn’t need him and won easily. The superstar was cleared to participate in 5 on 5 practice drills yesterday, according to Lakers coach J.J. Reddick, and video of him shooting at practice was posted online.
There had been speculation about when he would play his first game given the injury, but the ESPN schedule swap is a pretty good indication that he will, indeed, play on Saturday. Expect big ratings.
Another ratings bonanza should be the Lakers’ next game against Dallas on February 25. That one will air on TNT. Players generally get up for games against their former teams. Most pundits think the Mavericks got the lesser side of the deal, and that’s sure to be on Davis’ mind as he returns to Crypto.com Arena.