ESPN changes NBA schedule to show Luka’s Laker debut
ESPN changes NBA schedule to show Luka’s Laker debut
The Lakers have been shifted to a new TV window on Saturday, Feb. 8 to celebrate the addition of the superstar point guard.
Have you checked on the Dallas Mavericks fans in your life lately? Mavs faithful are still reeling after the dealing of Slovenian superstar point guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, in what some are calling the worst—or at least most surprising—trade in NBA history. ESPN is seeing the trade as an opportunity to generate some ratings, however, and is shifting its weekend schedule to try and capture Luka’s Lakers debut live.
Key Details:
- ESPN is shifting the Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers game to its airwaves on Saturday, Feb. 8.
- Previously, ESPN was slated to air the Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns game on Friday, Feb. 7.
- The game will air on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+.
ESPN has decided to do some swapping to try and televise Doncic’s first game with Los Angeles this weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 8, the game between the Lakers and the Indiana Pacers will now be available on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+. The game starts at 4 p.m. ET.
Previously, ESPN was supposed to air a game between the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. That game now shifts to local broadcast channels, which means Jazz fans will be able to watch on KJZZ or stream on Jazz+, while Suns fans will see the game on Arizona’s Family KTVK/KPHO, as well as the Suns Live streaming service.
As mentioned above, the game will be available to stream on ESPN+ and Disney+ for viewers who don’t get ESPN as part of a pay-TV plan. All Disney+ subscribers will have access to the game, so if you’re only subscribed to that streamer and don’t have a bundled ESPN+ subscription, you’ll still be able to stream Doncic’s presumed first game with the Lakers.
NBA games don’t usually shift around like this to take advantage of better matchups because there are so many games in a season. Fans should take advantage of the schedule change if possible, as Luka’s on-court debut with LeBron James and the Lakers is a game no basketball fan will want to miss, good or bad.
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