The 2024-25 NBA season schedule has been released, and the Los Angeles Lakers have once again secured the top spot in national television appearances. According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Lakers will have 39 out of their 82 games (48%) broadcasted nationwide on ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. Following closely behind are the Golden State Warriors with 36 games, and the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks tied with 34 games each. The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns both have 30 games scheduled, while the Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, and Toronto Raptors are at the bottom of the list with only four national TV appearances each.
This isn’t a new trend for the Lakers, as they have consistently ranked first or second in national TV games since LeBron James joined the team in 2019. However, this season marks the first time they have topped the list since 2021-22, with the Warriors leading the past two years.
Despite not winning a championship since 2020 and facing an early exit in last year’s playoffs, the Lakers’ star power and intriguing storylines continue to draw in viewers. With LeBron’s son Bronny joining the team and JJ Redick as the new head coach, the Lakers have become even more compelling. The potential for LeBron and Bronny to make history as the first father-son duo in NBA history adds to the anticipation surrounding the team.
While the Lakers’ core remains largely unchanged this season, the addition of Redick and Bronny brings a new dynamic to the team. It will be interesting to see how these changes impact their performance on the court and their appeal to television networks throughout the season.