Victor Wembanyama’s NBA debut Wednesday night was a ratings hit for ESPN.
The San Antonio Spurs rookie’s opening game against the Dallas Mavericks averaged a 1.7 rating and 2.99 million viewers, according to Sports Media Watch.
It was ESPN’s most-watched opening week game since 3.36 million saw LeBron James make his Los Angeles Lakers debut against the Houston Rockets in 2018.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, had 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 23 minutes in the Spurs’ 126-119 loss.
The 7-foot-4 Frenchman made 6 of 9 shots from the field, including three 3-pointers.
The Spurs-Mavericks game outpaced both opening night contests on TNT from Tuesday: Lakers-Denver Nuggets (2.84 million) and Phoenix Suns-Golden State Warriors (2.71 million).
–Field Level Media