UPDATED with newest: ESPN has as soon as once more rejiggered its schedule to focus on famous person Luka Dončić’s debut as an L.A. Laker. Dončić was initially anticipated to don the purple and gold on Saturday, and ESPN picked up that sport earlier than studying that Luka can be out till Monday. Laker followers who tuned in nonetheless obtained to see their staff — with out Luka or LeBron James — cease the streaking Indiana Pacers behind a profession excessive 45 factors from L.A. guard Austin Reaves.
Now, the community has introduced it should broadcast Monday’s sport during which the Utah Jazz and Lauri Markkanen will go to the Lakers. The sport is about to air at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+. All ESPN video games are additionally out there to stream by way of the ESPN App.
PREVIOUSLY on Thursday: Sorry, ESPN. After the community rejiggered its schedule to accommodate the debut of the Los Angeles Lakers new famous person Luka Dončić, the information broke at this time that Dončić’s return from a calf pressure can be pushed again to at the very least Monday.
Meaning the Los Angeles Lakers-Indiana Pacers sport that ESPN moved onto its Saturday broadcast schedule will now be Luka-less. Dončić’s potential debut Monday in opposition to the Utah Jazz at present has no nationwide broadcast accomplice. It is going to be proven in L.A. on Spectrum SportsNet and on NBA TV.
Whereas the blockbuster commerce that introduced the all-NBA guard to L.A. and despatched Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks occurred on Saturday, Dončić has been recovering from the calf damage since Christmas Day. Lakers coach J.J. Redick stated earlier this week that his new famous person was cleared to take part in 5 on 5 observe drills however, in response to ESPN, Dončić solely participated in shoot round. Meaning he wanted one other day to get 5 on 5 work in. Redick advised the media at this time that there have been “no setbacks” and that Dončić’s debut was “trending towards” Monday.
PREVIOUSLY on February 5: Simply days after the Lakers acquisition of Luka Dončić rocked the NBA, the commerce has additionally now altered ESPN’s weekend lineup, with the community transferring off the beforehand scheduled Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns sport to focus on the Los Angeles Lakers-Indiana Pacers sport this Saturday. That 4 p.m. ET contest at Crypto.com Enviornment is anticipated to be Dončić’s debut with the 17-time champion Lakers. It can even be out there on ESPN+ and Disney+.
The highest-secret, midnight deal that despatched Dončić to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks was broadly referred to as “probably the most surprising commerce in NBA historical past.” It marked the primary time that two all-NBA gamers had been traded for one another throughout the common season — the Mavericks obtained L.A. famous person Anthony Davis. It was all of the extra surprising provided that Dončić is 25 and never even in his prime but, led the league in scoring final season by averaging 34 factors after which guided the Mavericks to an surprising delivery within the NBA finals.
Dončić had been sidelined in Dallas just lately with a nagging calf pressure, and so missed the Lakers sport in opposition to cross-town rival the Clippers final night time. Seems the Lakers didn’t want him and gained simply. The famous person was cleared to take part in 5 on 5 observe drills yesterday, in response to Lakers coach J.J. Reddick, and video of him taking pictures at observe was posted on-line.
There had been hypothesis about when he would play his first sport given the damage, however the ESPN schedule swap is a reasonably good indication that he’ll, certainly, play on Saturday. Anticipate massive scores.
One other scores bonanza ought to be the Lakers’ subsequent sport in opposition to Dallas on February 25. That one will air on TNT. Gamers typically stand up for video games in opposition to their former groups. Most pundits assume the Mavericks obtained the lesser facet of the deal, and that’s positive to be on Davis’ thoughts as he returns to Crypto.com Enviornment.
