ESPN announced the broadcast peaked with 10,274,000 viewers by game’s end. That’s 32% better than last year’s Clippers-Mavericks game played in the same slot. That contest, too, featured Doncic, as well as Kyrie Irving and Paul George. This is different. Because Minnesota brings its own star power to the stage in the form of Anthony Edwards.

Although NBA executives want LeBron James to remain their standard-bearer, Anthony Edwards is poised to take this position with or without their approval.