NBA News Roundup: 2023 All-Star Game hits record-low ratings, Kevin Durant’s target comeback game revealed, and more
Viewership for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game hit a record low amid complaints that players don’t compete hard enough.
In other news, Phoenix Suns superstar forward Kevin Durant’s target debut date has been revealed. On that note, here's the latest news from the NBA as of Feb. 23, 2023:
2023 NBA All-Star game hits record-low ratings
Many NBA fans have complained that this year’s All-Star Game was a massive disappointment, as the players didn't put any effort into playing defense. It appears that the complaints have been reflected in the viewership totals for the game.
According to Nielsen Media Research, just 3.7 million fans watched the game on TNT. That's a 32% decrease from last year when just over 5.4 million fans tuned in. It includes a 28% drop in viewership among adults between the ages of 25 and 54. Moreover, according to Sports Media Watch, Sunday's game marked the smallest All-Star Game audience on record.
The NBA will now have some tough decisions to make about improving the event and piquing fan interest again. That will likely involve the league coming up with some sort of extra incentives to get players to compete. However, it remains to be seen if any drastic changes are made.
Kevin Durant’s target comeback NBA game revealed
Kevin Durant has been out since Jan. 8 with a right MCL sprain. Durant suffered the injury when he was still a member of the Brooklyn Nets and was expected to miss around 4-6 weeks.
That timeline has now passed. As a result, many fans are awaiting Durant’s Phoenix Suns debut following his trade to Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Durant hopes to make his Suns debut on Wednesday (Mar. 1) at Charlotte.
Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns are targeting his Suns debut and return to action in next Wednesday's road game against the Charlotte Hornets, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Durant is on cusp of return from MCL sprain that he suffered on Jan. 8.
On Durant’s return, the Suns (32-28, fifth in the West) could look to make a late-season run to achieve a top playoff seed. They sit just 4.5 games behind Memphis (35-22) in second place in the NBA Western Conference. However, Phoenix will probably have Durant ramp up slowly as he eases himself back into action following an extended stint on the sidelines.
Durant averaged 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game on 55.9% shooting in 39 games with Brooklyn this season.
Ime Udoka emerges as potential candidate for Atlanta Hawks coaching job
The Atlanta Hawks (29-30, eighth in the East) fired coach Nate McMillan on Tuesday amid their disappointing season.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Atlanta is planning to conduct a wide-ranging coaching search. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, that could include an interview with disgraced former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
"Among the candidates being considered for the Hawks' coaching vacancy, league sources say, is former Celtics coach Ime Udoka,” Stein reported.
Among the candidates being considered for the Hawks' coaching vacancy, league sources say, is former Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com
In Udoka’s lone season as coach last year, he led the Celtics to the second seed in the East with a 51-31 record. The team proceeded to make it within two games of winning the championship, losing 4-2 in the 2022 NBA Finals to Golden State.
However, Udoka was then suspended for the entirety of this season and later let go after being involved in a workplace misconduct scandal. That led to questions about whether he would receive another NBA coaching opportunity. However, it now looks like the Hawks may still be doing their due diligence and covering all their bases by potentially interviewing Udoka.
Steph Curry’s latest injury update following re-evaluation
Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry has been out since Feb. 4 with a lower left leg injury.
However, Curry recently underwent a re-evaluation. Following that, the Warriors have concluded that the player has made good progress and will be re-evaluated again in a week. The team’s official statement reads:
"Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who has missed the last five games after suffering partial tears to his superior tibiofibular ligaments and interosseous membrane, as well as a contusion to his left lower leg on Feb. 4 vs. Dallas, was recently re-evaluated."
It continued:
“The re-evaluation indicated that Curry is making good progress. He has started various individual on-court workouts, which will continue in the coming days. He will be re-evaluated again in one week."
Stephen Curry, who has missed the last five games due to injury, was recently re-evaluated.
The re-evaluation indicated that Stephen is making good progress. He has started various individual on-court workouts and will be re-evaluated in one week. https://t.co/RrIYYOVrlW
The Warriors (29-29, ninth in the West) have gone 2-3 since Curry’s injury. Overall, the team is 9-11 without him and 20-18 with him this season. Through 38 games, Curry has averaged 29.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.0 spg and 4.9 3 pg while shooting 49.5% and 42.7% from the three.
Anthony Davis on what Russell Westbrook would bring to LA Clippers
Nine-time NBA All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook agreed a deal with the LA Clippers earlier this week. That came after he was traded from the LA Lakers to the Utah Jazz and subsequently bought out.
Westbrook could reportedly make his Clippers debut as early as Friday (Feb. 24). As Westbrook prepares for his debut, his former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis was asked what Westbrook would offer the Clippers. Davis offered a fairly indifferent response:
"I'm not part of that team. I have no idea what their locker room is like, what their chemistry is like,” Davis said.
Davis then clarified that he's too busy with his personal life and that he hasn’t had a chance to watch many Clippers games this season.
"Honestly, I don't really watch the Clippers like that," Davis said. "I got three kids; I don't have time for that. I don't know; I know they got rid of John (Wall) and Reggie (Jackson), so it's another point guard for them. I'm not sure how T. Lue and the coaching staff will utilize him, but I'm pretty sure he's happy to stay in LA,” Davis continued.
Anthony Davis on what Russell Westbrook brings to the Clippers
“I’m not part of that team. I have no idea.”
https://t.co/lYOKgfPZar
Westbrook averaged 15.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 7.5 apg and 1.0 spg on 41.7% shooting in 52 games with the Lakers this season. He did not appear for the Jazz following his trade to Utah.
The Clippers (33-28, fourth in the West) will take on Sacramento (32-25, third in the West) at home on Friday (Feb. 24). This will mark their first game following the All-Star break and Westbrook’s first chance to suit up for the team.