The NBA’s slow start continues, with some exceptions. Also: Penguins-Capitals delivered an NHL season high, and NASCAR’s Xfinity Series declined at Texas.

Wednesday’s Timberwolves-Lakers NBA regular season game delivered a 1.4 rating and 2.21 million viewers on ESPN, down a tick in ratings but up a fraction of a percent in viewership from last year (T’Wolves-Warriors: 1.5, 2.20M), and up 49% and 52% respectively from 2016 (Rockets-Spurs: 0.9, 1.45M).

The Lakers’ narrow win was the most-watched NBA game of the past week, and the sixth-most watched of the season (23 total windows). The Lakers have played in three of the top six.

Earlier in the night, Sixers-Pacers had a 1.0 (-41%) and 1.52 million (-44%). Last year’s comparable window was Lakers-Celtics (1.7, 2.70M).

On Thursday, TNT drew 1.57 million viewers for Bucks-Warriors (+23%) and 1.12 million for Rockets-Thunder (-43%). Ratings were not immediately available. Going back to last Friday, ESPN drew a 1.3 (-11%) and 1.98 million (-17%) for T’Wolves-Warriors and a 0.9 (-23%) and 1.36 million (-23%) for Thunder-Wizards.

Of the 22 NBA windows on ESPN and TNT that can be compared to last year, 16 have declined.