The NBA temporarily cured the summer lull by revealing the 2025-26 schedule Thursday. With another exciting season on the horizon, here are seven matchups to monitor in the Lakers’ 82-game slate (all times Pacific).
Lakers 2025-26 Schedule: 7 Key Matchups for LA
A Tale as Old as Time
Lakers-Celtics
- Dec. 5: 4 p.m., Amazon Prime (Away)
- Feb. 22, 2026: 3:30 p.m., NBC (Home)
One of the league’s greatest rivalries will look a little different this time around. After splitting a season series with LA’s most hated foes, the Boston Celtics lost Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles and broke up their championship core as a casualty of the CBA’s second apron. Even though the Celtics could take a year off contention, don’t expect them to take games off against the Lakers. Both franchises are still vying for excellence, and that will no doubt include high-profile play against each other.
Thanks Again, Nico!
Lakers-Mavericks
- Nov. 28: 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video (Home); NBA Cup Group Play
- Jan. 24, 2026: 7:30 p.m., ABC (Home)
- Feb. 12, 2026: 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video (Home)
- Apr. 5, 2026: 6:30 p.m., NBC (Away)
Between Luka Doncic’s extension and Cooper Flagg’s arrival, all eyes will surround LA and Dallas when the Lakers and Mavericks square off. Doncic’s fitness journey has become the talk of the town this summer, and it’s an aspect he’ll be eager to show given the criticism that followed him out the door in Dallas. A familiar face will also help him in that endeavor, as the Lakers recently hired Jeremy Holsopple to be their new strength and conditioning coach.
The Lakers may have won both games post-trade deadline, but Flagg, Kyrie Irving and ex-Lakers Anthony Davis and Max Christie will be out for revenge next season, as the Mavs hope to make their own noise in a crowded Western Conference.
Rematch with the Champs
Lakers-Thunder
- Nov. 12: 6:30 p.m., ESPN (Away)
- Feb. 9, 2026: 7 p.m., Peacock (Home)
- Apr. 2, 2026: 4:30 p.m., Amazon Prime Video (Home)
- Apr. 7, 2026: 7:30 p.m. (Home)
Fresh off of their first title in franchise history, the OKC Thunder will be getting everyone’s best shot, including from the purple and gold. The 2024-25 series between these two did not disappoint, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic guiding their teams to victory with 30-plus point performances. As both guards cement themselves as the latest faces of their franchises, it will certainly lead to some “absolute cinema” out west.
Revamped “Battle of LA”
Lakers-Clippers
- Nov. 25: 8 p.m., NBC/Peacock, NBA Cup Group Play (Home)
- Dec. 20: 7:30 p.m. (Away)
- Jan. 22, 2026: 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video (Away)
- Feb. 20, 2026: 7 p.m., ESPN (Away)
While the Lakers filled crucial spots in the rotation, the Clippers reshaped their squad around Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, notably adding Bradley Beal, John Collins and Brook Lopez and reuniting with Chris Paul. These moves made up for the departure of Norman Powell—while putting them in unwanted historic company.
Regarding last season’s series, the Lakers won last year’s “Battle of LA” 4-1, though the Clippers earned the fifth seed in the West before falling to the Nuggets in seven games. Both teams will aim to improve on the first-round flameouts next season, with their depth being a key factor to watch.
LeBron vs. Steph Nears its End
Lakers-Warriors
- Oct. 21: 7 p.m., NBC/Peacock, Opening Night (Home)
- Feb. 7, 2026: 5:30 p.m., ABC (Home)
- Feb. 28, 2026: 5:30 p.m., ABC (Away)
- Apr. 9, 2026: 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video (Away)
“LA vs. the Bay” will soon close a thrilling chapter as LeBron James enters year 23 and Steph Curry approaches year 17. They’ve come a long way from the Finals matchups that captivated the NBA world, but these games take on extra significance as James’ days in the league are numbered beyond this season (Curry, meanwhile, is taking things “two years at a time”).
The Lakers escaped last season with a 2-1 series win over the Warriors, all three games coming with masterclasses in scoring. While LA’s offseason moves are set, Golden State’s roster is far from certain, as the Jonathan Kuminga debacle hovers over them like fog on the Golden Gate Bridge.
A New Chapter of LeBron vs. KD
Lakers-Rockets
- Christmas Day: 5 p.m., ABC/ESPN (Home)
- Mar. 16, 2026: 6 p.m., Peacock (Away)
- Mar. 18, 2026, 6:30 p.m., ESPN (Away)
If the Lakers and Rockets games weren’t thrilling before, they’ve taken on a whole new dimension heading into this year. The Rockets clearly weren’t satisfied with finishing second in the West, so they went out and got Kevin Durant and a plethora of other veterans to boost their chances at a title. They also guaranteed Jabari Smith Jr.’s future with a massive five-year extension, ensuring they’ll stay in the contention conversation long after Durant retires. They even stole a former Laker in free agency, bringing in Dorian Finney-Smith on a four-year deal.
Though both sides split last season’s series, the road to victory won’t be as easy against a Houston team that’s raised its ceiling exponentially. As James and Durant enter the twilight of their careers, fans will definitely savor these matchups between two of the game’s greatest scorers.
First-Round Redemption
Lakers-Timberwolves
- Oct. 24: 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
- Oct. 29: 6:30 p.m., ESPN
- Mar. 10, 2026: 8 p.m., NBC/Peacock
Finally, the Lakers will look to avenge their first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves exposed the Lakers in the five-game series, with a height advantage and late-game execution being the nails in LA’s coffin.
After adding some size in the frontcourt and defense in the backcourt, the Lakers should have enough to redeem themselves against a Minnesota roster that’s mostly intact. James and Doncic have three chances to get the best of Anthony Edwards, who is staking his own claim as one of the league’s next superstars.
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