Luka Doncic and LeBron James ruin ESPN masterplan ahead of much-anticipated debut
ESPN was scheduled to broadcast Luka Doncic's debut for the Los Angeles Lakers alongside LeBron James against the Indiana Pacers.
Follow Us
Luka Doncic won't make Lakers debut alongside LeBron James against Indiana Pacers, leaving ESPN in the dust
It has been a few days since Luka Doncic joined the Los Angeles Lakers after the blockbuster trade shook the sporting world. That meant, he was going to be teammates alongside LeBron James. But as he was nursing an injury, his debut for his new team was still undecided.
However, with the latest updates from his camp, it was expected that the Slovenian would make his Lakers debut against the Indiana Pacers. It seemed as if the 25-year-old had made a full recovery from the left calf strain that has kept him out since Christmas.
Once word of it spread, it meant Luka Doncic was going to play his first game in purple and gold threads. The situation made for a tantalizing spectacle as the face of the league was going to have the prodigy alongside him as the Lakers start a new chapter.
Two of the biggest superstars in the NBA were about to play together on a weekend in Los Angeles. This caught the eye of ESPN the who’s who of Los Angeles. Along with the traction the trade brought it meant the attention for this game nationwide would be sky high.
The game was scheduled for Saturday 8th at 1 PM Pacific time, which meant ESPN could not broadcast the game. To make room, they first flexed out Friday’s Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs game. Now they were free to choose the Lakers vs Pacers game.
But ESPN also had two back-to-back college basketball games around the same time slots. They first moved the 1PM PT game between no. 1 Auburn and no. 6 Florida to ESPN2. Then they pushed the next game scheduled at 3PM between Cooper Flagg‘s No. 2 Duke and Clemson by 30 minutes.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic spoil ESPN’s attempts at a high-profile broadcast
ESPN made all those adjustments with the view that the game could possibly eclipse the 7.7 million NBA’s Christmas Day showdown between the Lakers and Golden State Warriors garnered. However, the network received its first disappointment when their Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin received word that Luka Doncic was confirmed out for the Pacers game.
It was a major disappointment as the network was gearing up for his debut. But even then, the chances of celebrities attending the game on a weekend to watch LeBron James high five his new teammate was high. Then, McMenamin received another news.
LeBron James has been downgraded to doubtful for the Lakers’ game Saturday vs. Indiana with left ankle soreness, the Lakers announced.
Dave McMenamin wrote
Now the situation completely tossed ESPN’s plans. With the 40-year-old superstar out, it meant none of the Lakers’ stars were playing on Saturday. With that development out in the open, there was a slim chance any of the celebrities would turn up.
LeBron James has been downgraded to doubtful for the Lakers’ game Saturday vs. Indiana with left ankle soreness, the Lakers announced.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 8, 2025
It also meant that chances were high that viewers would not bother tuning into this game. They could have had more eyes from their scheduled college basketball games. But now they are in a position where they may miss out completely.
Luka Doncic will likely make his Los Angeles Lakers debut on Monday against the Utah Jazz. LeBron James should be alongside him with a few days of rest for that sore ankle. As of now, NBA League Pass holds the rights to the game. There is a chance the NBA might grant it to ESPN, but as of now, it’s unclear.
Stay Updated!
Joseph Varghese
(2436 Articles Published)