Mavericks’ Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving Play In Least-Watched NBA All-Star Game Ever

All-Stars Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks are back in Dallas practicing, getting ready for the final stretch of the NBA’s regular season. Most players who didn’t attend the NBA All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City probably spent time on a beach somewhere, oblivious to the happenings in Utah.

They weren’t the only ones ignoring the All-Star Game. Continuing a downward trend that must be concerning for the league, Sunday’s game was the lowest-rated and least-watched NBA All-Star game ever, according to Sports Media Watch. It averaged a combined 2.2 rating and 4.59 million viewers across TNT and TBS.

Ratings for this year’s game declined 29%, and viewership dropped 27% compared to last year’s All-Star Game, which netted a 3.1 rating and 6.28 million viewers. The previous low ratings marks came in 2021 and 2022 with a 3.1 rating. The lowest viewership occurred in 2021 when around six million viewers tuned in to the league’s annual spectacle.

Some of the league’s top stars either didn’t play in the game due to injuries or made only brief appearances. Stephen Curry sat out, while Giannis Atetokounmpo and LeBron James exited the game early. Their absences likely contributed to a lack of overall interest from the fans.

But it’s not just the fans who seem uninterested in the NBA’s glorified exhibition game. Many of the players also don’t seem to relish the opportunity to play in the game in that setting, either. While Irving dropped 32 points and 15 assists in the All-Star Game, Doncic went through the paces with four and six assists.

Before All-Star weekend, after the Mavericks fell to the Denver Nuggets on the road, 118-109, Doncic summed up what he looked forward to most about the extended break from regular season games.

“Sunday, when I fly to Mexico,” Doncic said with a smile. “That’s the truth.”

He likely wasn’t the only one expressing that sentiment among the players participating in the All-Star Game. Doncic wasted no time leaving the arena after the game ended.

“Is Luka in Cabo right now. I think he’s there right now,” Irving joked after the game. I think he was doing his best to get his energy up for the game. You can’t blame him. He’s played a lot of minutes. He rightfully deserves a vacation. So hopefully, he’s on a plane already.”

There is some consolation for the NBA as it sees plummeting ratings, viewership and fan and player disinterest in its primary in-season event. Some people are still ardently tuning in. The NBA All-Star Game still ranked as the highest-rated program among adults aged 18-49 and 18-34, with ratings of 1.8 and 1.5, respectively.