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The viewership for the Thursday game was more
than double the average for a regular-season NBA telecast, the
league and the network said in a joint statement. Superstar
Lebron James made the winning shot with 12.8 seconds left to
secure the Lakers' 103-101 victory.
An earlier game between the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans
pulled in 2.1 million viewers, and the doubleheader averaged 2.9
million. The Jazz edged the Pelicans 106-104.
NBA matchups were drawing roughly 1.4 million viewers before the
coronavirus pandemic interrupted play by sports leagues around
the world in March.
As sporting events start to return, TNT and other TV networks
are hoping for a ratings rebound.
A week ago, the opening night of Major League Baseball's season
pulled in a record viewership for Walt Disney Co's ESPN
[L2N2EV1RH]. Several subsequent games were postponed, however,
after players for the Miami Marlins and staff for the
Philadelphia Phillies tested positive for COVID-19.
To prevent outbreaks among NBA players, the league restarted its
season on Thursday with all games being played at a Walt Disney
World sports complex in Orlando, Florida. Players are isolated
and regularly tested for coronavirus, and games are played
without spectators. Producers filled the arena with digitally
created fans and artificial cheers.
The basketball season is scheduled to extend through the NBA
Finals, which are set to wrap up no later than Oct. 13.
The National Hockey League, meanwhile, will resume its season on
Saturday with players competing in the Canadian cities of
Toronto and Edmonton.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Diane Craft and Daniel
Wallis)
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