Sorry ESPN, Luka Dončić’s Expected Lakers Debut Has Been Pushed Back – Updated

UPDATED with latest: Sorry, ESPN. After the network rejiggered its schedule to accommodate the debut of the Los Angeles Lakers new superstar Luka Dončić, the news broke today that Dončić’s return from a calf strain would be pushed back to Monday.

That means the Los Angeles Lakers-Indiana Pacers game that ESPN moved onto its Saturday broadcast schedule will now be Luka-less. Dončić’s debut Monday against the Utah Jazz currently has no national broadcast partner. It will be shown in L.A. on Spectrum Sports Net and on NBA TV.

PREVIOUSLY on February 5: Just days after the Lakers acquisition of Luka Dončić rocked the NBA, the trade has also now altered ESPN’s weekend lineup, with the network moving off the previously scheduled Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns game to highlight the Los Angeles Lakers-Indiana Pacers game this Saturday. That 4 p.m. ET contest at Crypto.com Arena is expected to be Dončić’s debut with the 17-time champion Lakers. It will also be available on ESPN+ and Disney+.

The top-secret, midnight deal that sent Dončić to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks was widely called “the most shocking trade in NBA history.” It marked the first time that two all-NBA players had been traded for each other during the regular season — the Mavericks got L.A. superstar Anthony Davis. It was all the more shocking given that Dončić is 25 and not even in his prime yet, led the league in scoring last season by averaging 34 points and then guided the Mavericks to an unexpected birth in the NBA finals.

Dončić had been sidelined in Dallas recently with a nagging calf strain, and so missed the Lakers game against cross-town rival the Clippers last night. Turns out the Lakers didn’t need him and won easily. The superstar was cleared to participate in 5 on 5 practice drills yesterday, according to Lakers coach J.J. Reddick, and video of him shooting at practice was posted online.

There had been speculation about when he would play his first game given the injury, but the ESPN schedule swap is a pretty good indication that he will, indeed, play on Saturday. Expect big ratings.

Another ratings bonanza should be the Lakers’ next game against Dallas on February 25. That one will air on TNT. Players generally get up for games against their former teams. Most pundits think the Mavericks got the lesser side of the deal, and that’s sure to be on Davis’ mind as he returns to Crypto.com Arena.