ESPN aired its most-watched season-opening NBA doubleheader in four years Wednesday, averaging 1.74 million viewers for Celtics-Knicks and Nuggets-Suns. In particular, Celtics-Knicks averaged 1.96 million — the network’s top opening game since 2013 (Heat-Nets: 2.45M). The double-overtime thriller, which peaked with 2.87 million from 10:30-10:45 PM ET, actually declined 2% from the comparable window last season, Bucks-Celtics on TNT in late December (2.00M). Compared to the last traditional season two years ago, viewership increased 15% from Celtics-Sixers on ESPN opposite the World Series (1.70M).
ESPN aired its most-watched season-opening NBA doublehe…
May 19, 2022 | 7:13 pm EDT Update
Jay King: Ime Udoka said Al Horford “passed all the protocols, passed all the tests.” Said he was “feeling fine from the get go.” “Happy to have him back.”
Tim Bontemps: Erik Spoelstra: “We don’t want to duck any competition.” Said he and the Heat are happy that Marcus Smart and Al Horford are both available again for Boston. Said you never want to see a series like this determined by injury or testing.
Ira Winderman: Max Strus and Gabe Vincent again from questionable to playing.
May 19, 2022 | 6:51 pm EDT Update
Al Horford tested negative for COVID-19 twice before Game 2
Chris Haynes: Boston Celtics center Al Horford tested negative yesterday and twice today, clearing him to play in Game 2 tonight against Miami Heat, league sources tell @YahooSports, @NBAonTNT.
Mark Murphy: Al Horford is in the building.
