NBA has most-watched Christmas slate of games since 2011

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up to shoot and get fouled by Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK — The NBA had its most-watched Christmas schedule since 2011, with 10.2 million viewers tuning in for the Lakers’ victory over Golden State.

ESPN says Wednesday that the audience for that game, the first matching the defending champion Warriors and LeBron James since he moved to Los Angeles, was its fifth-largest for one on Christmas.

The 2011-12 season began on Christmas after the lockout.

The five games Tuesday averaged 5.8 million viewers, an increase of 14 percent from last year.