Luka Doncic's debut with the Los Angeles Lakers delivered a stellar performance on and off the court, drawing massive audiences to ESPN. The highly anticipated game, which took place on Monday night, saw the Lakers triumph over the Utah Jazz with a decisive 132-113 victory. Despite the late start at 10:30 p.m. ET, fans tuned in in droves, as the Laker's dominance was evident from the beginning. Leading by 12 points after the first quarter and extending to a 25-point lead by halftime, the game remained firmly in their control.
Doncic, who was acquired from Dallas in a blockbuster trade earlier this month, made his first appearance since suffering a left calf strain on Christmas Day. The Slovenian star played a total of 24 minutes and contributed 14 points to his team's commanding performance. In light of the Lakers' substantial lead, Doncic sat out the fourth quarter, allowing his teammates to maintain their advantage and secure the victory.
ESPN benefited immensely from Doncic's debut, with viewership peaking at 2.55 million and averaging 2.01 million viewers throughout the broadcast, according to Nielsen ratings. This made it the most-watched game of the day among males aged 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54. The excitement surrounding Doncic's arrival in Los Angeles undoubtedly contributed to the high ratings, showcasing his substantial impact both on the court and among fans.
The Lakers' dominance was clear as they led by as many as 34 points during the game. Their success highlighted the team's potential with Doncic now in their ranks. Jazz coach Will Hardy expressed optimism about Doncic's integration with his new team, stating:
"I don't see any world where those two playing together isn't a good thing. Like I said, their processing speed, mentally, is incredible. And so, I'm sure they'll figure it out." – Jazz coach Will Hardy
The Lakers are set to appear again on national television on February 22 against Denver, a game slated to air on ABC. Fans will be eager to see how Doncic continues to adapt and contribute to his new team.
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