With the release of the 2025-2026 NBA schedule, we can now preview some of the notable dates on the Lakers’ calendar.
As with every schedule release, there’s a lot of built-up anticipation when surfing through the calendar. When are the big matchups played, how many back-to-backs are there, what do their road trips look like, etc.
To kick things off, the Lakers will host the season opener on Tuesday, October 21st against the Golden State Warriors on NBC and Peacock at 7:00 pm PST. Another chapter in the LeBron James vs Stephen Curry matchup which never fails to disappoint. The Lakers will follow up that game on the 24th of October in a playoff rematch against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On Christmas day, Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets come to Crypto.Com Arena to face the Lakers, another highly anticipated matchup between two of the top teams in the west.
To no surprise, the Lakers are tied with the Thunder, Warriors and Knicks for the most nationally televised games next season (34). National TV games will now be played on NBC/Peacock, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and ABC.
ROAD TRIPS
Two road trips on the schedule instantly stick out and both come in the second half of the season. From January 20th to February 3rd, the Lakers will embark on their biggest road trip of the season featuring Denver, the Clippers, Dallas, Chicago, Clevland, Washington, New York and Brooklyn. They will then have an eight game homestand right after from February 5th to the 24th.
The other trip comes at a likely crucial point in the season where teams are typically fighting for playoff positioning. From March 16th to March 25th L.A. will face Houston twice, Miami, Orlando, Detroit and Indiana.
NBA CUP TOURNAMENT
Going into the third year of the in-season tournament, the Lakers this time around are slotted in Group B. In their group, they’ll face the Clippers, Mavericks, Pelicans and Grizzlies. Their first tournament game will be played on Halloween against Memphis at 6:30 pm PST.
One of the most anticipated matchups of the season will come on November 28th against the Dallas Mavericks in what will be the last Group Play game of the tournament.
Strength of Schedule
Overall, the Lakers look to have a lighter stretch in their first half of the season, which is important if they want to stack wins and build early momentum. The schedule seems to pick up intensity once that eight-game road trip kicks in mid-January. They’ll also have 14 sets of back-to-backs throughout the season.
Pat Riley to Receive Statue
On top of the Lakers’ full schedule being revealed, the Lakers officially announced they will unveil the statue of legendary coach Pat Riley at Crypto.Com Arena on February 22nd where they will face the Boston Celtics.
Pat Riley during his nine seasons with the lakers led the team to four titles and also played for the Lakers from 1975 to 1976.
No matter the schedule, health and availability will always be a top priority during the course of a long 82-game season.
PHOTO: Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images
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