Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket versus the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament on May 19, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Adam Pantozzi | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
The National Basketball Association’s play-in video game in between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors drew approximately 5.6 million audiences on Wednesday night.
ESPN stated the video game peaked at 6.1 million audiences around 12: 30 a.m. Eastern Time. The network stated the video game was the most-watched contest on ESPN because the 2019 Western Conference round. That series likewise included Curry and the Warriors.
LeBron James led the Lakers to a 103-100 win over the Steph Curry-led Warriors. James ended up with a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 helps), consisting of the game-winning shot as the seventh-seed Lakers protected their playoff berth.
NBA play-in video games set seeds 7-to-10 in each conference, with winners protecting the last 4 playoff areas. The seventh and 8th seed play for the rights to the seventh area. The loser of the contest has another possibility to clinch when the group plays the winner of the ninth and 10th-seed video game.
The NBA set up play-in video games last summertime after the Covid-19 pandemic disturbed its season. And the league required to assist nationwide media partners Turner Sports and ESPN recuperate from monetary losses as video games were suspended.
According to the NBA, the lower seeded contest in between the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs balanced 2.29 million audiences. The Grizzlies won the video game (100-96) and will play the Warriors on Friday for the rights to the last playoff area.
Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies rebounds the ball versus the San Antonio Spurs throughout the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament on May 19, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Joe Murphy | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
On Tuesday, Turner likewise reported strong viewership for its contests. The seventh-seed Boston Celtics win over the Washington Wizards balanced 2.5 million audiences, while the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers video game balanced 1.4 million audiences.
“The early returns are good,” stated Evan Wasch, executive vice president of basketball technique and analytics, when going over the play-in video games with CNBC previously this month. “We’re seeing an increased level of competition late in the season. We’re seeing more playoff races from top to bottom in the standings – teams fighting for six, fighting seven eight, fighting for 10.”
Following the play-in, the NBA will start its 2021 postseason on Saturday, with 4 video games arranged, consisting of the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Celtics.
