Lakers-Warriors most-watched NBA preseason game ever on ESPN
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes a shot under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the NBA preseason game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23), center, reacts with his teammates after a score by a team during their NBA preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) after making a buzzer shot to end the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) goes up for a shot under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee (7) in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors forward Jordan Bell (2) looks for an open shot under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives the ball to the hoop against Los Angeles Lakers guard Lance Stephenson (6) in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart (3) in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) walks the ball up the court against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) reacts after getting called for a foul against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), not pictured, in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) goes up for a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) takes the court for his game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Fans get ready to watch the Golden State Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during his game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to inbound a pass during a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Fans get ready for the Golden State Warriors preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during warmups before a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during warmups before a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Fans get ready for the Golden State Warriors preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Lance Stephenson (6) during their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes up for a shot against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA preseason game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart (3) from left, center JaVale McGee (7) and forward LeBron James (23) share a laugh on the bench during their NBA preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) looks for an open pass against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA preseason game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) takes a shot under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the NBA preseason game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before an NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
NEW YORK — LeBron James’ first game against the Warriors as a Laker drew nearly 2 million viewers, making it ESPN’s most-watched preseason game ever.
The Lakers’ 123-113 victory Wednesday night in Las Vegas was watched by 1.98 million viewers, the network said Thursday. A spokesman says that is the most viewers for an NBA preseason game on any network since at least 1994, which is as far back as the records go.
James developed a rivalry with the Warriors while meeting them in a record four straight NBA Finals while he played in Cleveland. His move to Los Angeles in July put him in the same division as the two-time defending champions.
