A massive number of NBA fans tuned in to watch Luka Dončić’s first matchup against his former team on Tuesday night.
About 2.5 million viewers watched Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-99 at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, TNT announced on Wednesday afternoon. That made it the most-watched regular-season game on the network so far this season outside of opening night. It was also the most-watched regular-season game streamed on Max. The game peaked at about 2.9 million viewers.
By comparison, the NBA Finals on ABC averaged about 11.3 million viewers last summer. The NBA’s Christmas Day slate this season on ABC/ESPN averaged 5.25 million viewers per game.
It’s no surprise so many people wanted to watch Tuesday night’s game in Los Angeles, considering the trade that went down just a few weeks prior. The Mavericks stunned the NBA world by dealing Dončić in a deal for Anthony Davis, which reportedly left Dončić furious. He stared down the Mavericks’ bench after making his one and only 3-pointer on Tuesday, and fans at one point broke out in a huge, “Thank you, Nico!” chant at Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.
Dončić finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in the Lakers’ third consecutive win.
“The closure is going to take awhile, I think,” Dončić said. “I don’t know, it’s just not ideal. Like I said, I’m glad this game is over. There was a lot of emotions. It will go, little by little. Every day is better.”
Dončić’s first return trip to Dallas is set for April 9. Regardless of what happens between now and then throughout the league, Mavericks fans — who have been livid at Harrison for even making the deal in the first place — are sure to show out. Big ratings for that game, based on Tuesday’s numbers, will almost certainly follow suit.
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