With the sub-.500 Lakers arguably the biggest ratings draw this NBA season, LeBron James‘ injury could be bad news for the team and league.
Sunday’s Lakers-Mavericks NBA regular season game — in which James suffered a foot injury that is reportedly expected to keep him out multiple weeks — averaged a 2.0 rating and 3.50 million viewers on ABC, the seventh-largest audience of the season. Ratings increased 26% and viewership 28% from Jazz-Suns in the same window last year (1.6, 2.74M).
The Lakers have played in four of the seven most-watched games this season and six of the top 11, more than any other team. Individually, James has played in five of the top 11 — more than any other player.
Largest NBA audiences of 2022-23 season, as of Feb. 26
The game ranked second for the weekend among sporting events behind the competing NASCAR Cup Series race from Fontana (2.5, 4.32M) and took top honors among adults 18-49 (1.26M).
Earlier Sunday, Suns-Bucks drew a 1.2 and 2.01 million — down 15% in ratings and 16% in viewership from Sixers-Knicks last year (1.45, 2.38M). Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant missed the game due to injury. Celtics-Sixers the previous night drew a 1.4 and 2.38 million on ABC’s NBA Saturday Primetime, up 4% and 7% respectively from Nets-Bucks a year ago (1.3, 2.23M).
Over on ESPN, Timberwolves-Warriors drew a 0.9 and 1.65 million and Clippers-Nuggets a 0.8 and 1.28 million — both down double-digits from last year’s equivalent doubleheader (Mavericks-Warriors: 1.1, 1.98M; Pelicans-Lakers: 0.9, 1.46M). Golden State’s Stephen Curry remains out due to injury.
ESPN also posted declines for its Friday doubleheader. Thunder-Suns drew a 0.7 and 1.13 million, down 19% from Clippers-Lakers last year (0.8, 1.38M). Heat-Bucks led-in with a 0.6 and 1.097 million, down 9% in ratings and virtually flat in viewership compared to Heat-Knicks a year ago (0.7, 1.098M).
(Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 2.28)
