The NBA has officially released the schedule for the 2026-27 regular season and that of course means the dates on the calendar will start getting circled for the biggest matchups of the year. The Lakers are always one of the most anticipated matchups for many teams and that is even more the case with Luka Doncic fully assuming his role as the face of the franchise.
This is a completely new-look Lakers squad with LeBron James and a host of role players from last year’s team gone, while the front office brought in the likes of Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili, amongst others.
Last season, the Lakers grabbed the No. 4 seed in the West despite injuries destroying the end of the regular season. There are many questions surrounding most teams in the West this season, while the East looks deeper than ever, but that will only make these games that much more intriguing.
Now that the schedule is out, we ranked the games we are most looking forward to in 2026-27.
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers – Oct. 21
The Los Angeles Lakers kick off the regular season by hosting Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. This will be the first chance to see how this team is coming together with new faces like Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton all making their debuts against a Warriors team looking to prove they still have plenty left in the tank.
Doncic vs. Curry is a guaranteed must-watch by itself as both plan on putting on a show to start the regular season and establish themselves as the top team in the Pacific Division.
Los Angeles Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs – Nov. 27
The defending Western Conference Champions who also have arguably the best young core in the league, the Spurs are now a measuring stick team and this game will allow the Lakers to see where they stand against a legit championship contender.
Both Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle had huge games against the Lakers last season as the Spurs took three out of four, including knocking the Lakers out of the NBA Cup quarterfinals. So of course the two teams find themselves in the same West Group C with this being the final group stage game of this year’s Emirates NBA Cup.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Minnesota Timberwolves – Dec. 16
Like the Lakers, the Timberwolves have undergone some massive roster changes this summer in hopes of leaping into championship contention. Their new backcourt of LaMelo Ball joining Anthony Edwards is one of the few that can match the Lakers’ Doncic and Reaves in terms of pure firepower.
This is a contest of two teams in similar positions looking to establish that they are further along than the other. It is not inconceivable that these squads could meet in the playoffs as well and with the Lakers sweeping the season series a year ago, Minnesota could be out for revenge. This is also the first of a two-game set as they will rematch just two days later again in Minnesota.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets – Dec. 19
As long as the Nuggets have Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, this will always be a game to circle on the calendar. Of course the Nuggets had the Lakers number for many years, but that has begun to shift ever since the Lakers acquired Doncic. The Lakers took two of three last season including one of the best games of the year that saw an unbelievable clutch play from Reaves and an OT game-winner for Doncic.
Similar to the Timberwolves and Lakers, the Nuggets are another West team looking to separate themselves from the pack and nudge closer towards the Thunder and Spurs as the elite teams in the West. Games against these elite centers are where the Lakers will be hoping Walker Kessler shines as well and how he looks against Jokic will be one of the most important things to watch.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Los Angeles Lakers – Dec. 25
It is LeBron James’ first game back at the Crypto.com Arena with his new team and it takes place on the NBA’s biggest regular season stage, Christmas Day. What type of reaction James gets in his return will be interesting as many fans never quite took to him as they did other stars, but there is no denying he accomplished so much with the franchise.
The Lakers will also give him a beautiful video package in his return, but this also will be a massive game against a Sixers team that may have the best starting five in all of basketball. The atmosphere for this game will be one of the most electric of the year and Doncic and Reaves will be looking to show James what he is missing out on.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Washington Wizards – Jan. 5
Top overall pick AJ Dybantsa named Luka Doncic as the player he is most looking forward to defending because he wants to see if the Lakers superstar can score on him as easily as he made it look while watching from the sidelines. This will be his first chance to see the greatness of Doncic up close and personal.
This contest also is a visit from an old friend as Anthony Davis now calls Washington home and the Wizards could be a sneakily decent team with All-Star Trae Young in the fold as well. Coincidentally, both Davis and Young were traded for Doncic at different points in time so that connection is always fun to visit.
Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Lakers – Jan. 7
Wait for it…Wait for it…waaaaaaiiiiiiit for ittttttt.
Buck Foston
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers – Jan. 26
Despite making some moves and losing some key role players this summer, the Thunder remain one of the championship favorites this season. The Thunder owned the Lakers last season, not only sweeping them in the regular season, but also completing a sweep in the second round of the playoffs.
Luka Doncic vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will always be a matchup worth watching as they are the two best guards in the NBA today. But this is the first chance for the Lakers to show they won’t be pushed around and dominated by OKC the same way they were last year.
Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks – Jan. 30
Madison Square Garden is home to one of the best atmospheres in all of sports and, of course, the defending NBA Champions. Any time you face off against the champs it is a must-see contest, but MSG is known to bring out the best, often times from the opponent.
Last season Doncic posted a monster 35-15-8 performance at the Garden and many will be looking for even more. The likes of Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry have had monster nights at MSG. Perhaps it is time for Doncic, or maybe Austin Reaves to leave their mark against Jalen Brunson and the defending champs.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks – Feb. 28
Any time Doncic returns to Dallas it is worth tuning in for. Even though he is the enemy, the fans in Dallas always show Doncic lots of love and he, in turn, puts on a great show as well.
This is also a meeting against arguably the best young player in the NBA today in Cooper Flagg who had one of his best games of the season late last year against the Lakers. Him developing so quickly only adds to the intrigue surround this game as the history between Doncic and the Mavericks will always add a little extra juice.
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