The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled their 2026-27 regular season schedule, which includes a series of high-profile matchups centered around star player Luka Doncic. This season marks a significant shift for the franchise, being their first since 2017 without LeBron James on the roster, ushering in a new era led by Doncic.
The schedule highlights include the Lakers' annual Grammy swing road trip in late January and early February, alongside three separate five-game homestands in December, March, and April. Competitive breaks are also factored into the long season.
Key Marquee Matchups
The season opener on Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles will be particularly notable. By this point, Doncic will have been with the Lakers for 20 months, and it will be the first season opener without LeBron James since 2017.
Another key game is on Oct. 25, when the Lakers visit the Utah Jazz. This matchup is significant for the Lakers' marquee offseason acquisition, center Walker Kessler, who will play his former team for the first time after being acquired in a sign-and-trade. Kessler, the 22nd pick in the 2022 NBA draft, spent his first four seasons with the Jazz.
On Nov. 27, the Lakers will face the defending Western Conference champions, the San Antonio Spurs, in San Antonio. This game features a highly anticipated duel between Doncic and Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, who finished in the top four of MVP voting in the 2025-26 season.
December brings two road games against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 16 and 18. These are the first of two-game series against a Timberwolves team that, like the Lakers, underwent significant offseason changes. Minnesota's roster features stars such as Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and newly acquired guard LaMelo Ball.
Christmas Day will see the Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles. This game is expected to draw significant attention as it will mark LeBron James’ first game back in Los Angeles against his former team since his departure.
Rivalries and Rematches
A historic rivalry continues on Jan. 7 when the Lakers host the Boston Celtics in Los Angeles. Despite potential shifts in the Celtics' roster, the matchup remains a league highlight. For Doncic, securing a win against the Celtics would be a notable achievement in his Lakers career.
The Lakers will face the reigning 2025 NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Jan. 26 in Los Angeles. The Thunder, led by two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, swept the Lakers in the second round of the 2025-26 playoffs and defeated them in all four regular-season matchups that season by an average margin of over 29 points.
On Jan. 30, the Lakers will play the New York Knicks in New York. This game puts Doncic in the spotlight against the defending NBA champions at Madison Square Garden, a venue historically associated with marquee matchups.
Finally, on Feb. 28, Doncic will return to Dallas to face his former team, the Mavericks. While the emotional intensity of these matchups may lessen over time, this will still be only Doncic's third game in Dallas since his trade to the Lakers in April 2025. Notably, both Doncic and Austin Reaves missed the second visit to Dallas in April 2026 due to season-ending injuries.