By: Salil Karkhanis
As the All-Star Break is over and teams are marching through the final games of the regular season, let’s go over some recent news.
All-Star Game Ratings
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game averaged 4.7 million viewers across TNT platforms, which was down 13 percent compared to 2024. The game was the second-least-watched All-Star Game in history, ahead of only the 2023 edition that drew 4.6 million viewers. The past three All-Star Games have all averaged under six million viewers, the only three in history that have not exceeded that total.
This comes in stark contrast to the NHL’s recent implementation of the 4 Nations tournament, where the US and Canada had one of the most exciting hockey matches of our generation. In their first match, there were 3 fights in the first 9 seconds; meanwhile, the NBA features lackluster defense and superstars opting out of a 1 vs. 1 tournament in order to avoid embarrassment from losing. Adam Silver needs to find a solution, and quickly too, if he wants people to keep watching the All-Star Games.
Embiid and His Desperate Need for Knee Surgery
Joel Embiid is experiencing left knee swelling after struggling against Brooklyn and will undergo imaging and testing. The 76ers are consulting specialists, but surgery is not expected.
Embiid has not been at his MVP level, and his recent poor performance led to him being benched in the fourth quarter. With multiple players injured, some suggest the 76ers should shut down their season and focus on the next one.
Philadelphia is currently 12th in the East, 1.5 games behind the play-in tournament. They owe a top-six protected first-round pick to OKC, with a 43.4% chance of keeping it. Dropping further in the standings could improve their odds.
Consulting specialists for Embiid may be a step toward shutting him down, though the NBA won’t allow healthy stars to sit without a process.
Luka Magic Shines in Lakers Win over the Nuggets
Luka Doncic delivered his best game since December 15, scoring 32 points in the Lakers’ 123-100 win over Denver, showing signs of returning to form after his shock trade from Dallas. Coach JJ Redick encouraged Doncic to have a “blackout moment”—a sign he was fully engaged—which Doncic delivered, emotionally fired up throughout the game.
The trade that brought Doncic to L.A. involved sending Anthony Davis to Dallas, with the Mavericks citing concerns over Doncic’s conditioning and fit. Since joining the Lakers, he has faced adjustments while recovering from a calf strain and processing the fallout of leaving Dallas, a team he believed in.
What’s more, the Lakers host Luka’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks, this Tuesday night. In what’s sure to be an exciting game full of pent-up feelings, Lakers fans feel confident that Luka will remind Nico Harrison how foolish this trade decision was.
Season Ending Injury for Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder. The generational talent was enjoying a breakout second season, leading the league with 3.8 blocks per game and averaging 24.3 points.
Wembanyama received the diagnosis after All-Star Weekend, shocking the Spurs, who had hoped to make a play-in push after trading for De’Aaron Fox. With their best player sidelined, San Antonio’s season is in jeopardy, lacking depth in the frontcourt after moving Zach Collins.
DVT, a serious blood clot condition, requires anticoagulant medication for months, ruling Wembanyama out of contact sports. However, similar cases, such as Brandon Ingram and Ausar Thompson, suggest he can make a full recovery by next season. The Spurs remain optimistic about his long-term future.
