The Los Angeles Lakers play on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 28, sources told ESPN. It is LeBron James’ lone trip back to The Land on the schedule and this one comes 10 years after capturing the 2016 NBA championship with the Cavs.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) August 9, 2025
The full schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season hasn’t been released yet, but there have been a few marquee matchups that have already been leaked.
The Los Angeles Lakers will start the regular season on Oct. 21 at home against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. They will then face the Houston Rockets and their new superstar, Kevin Durant, on Christmas Day at Crypto.com Arena.
Ever since LeBron James came to the Lakers in 2018, one important game each season has been the one in which they head to Northeast Ohio to play the Cleveland Cavaliers, James’ original team. Per Dave McMenamin, L.A. will visit the Cavaliers on Jan. 28, 2026.
James played a total of 11 seasons with the Cavs, spanning two separate stints. With his future with the Lakers in doubt, there have been some rumors that he may force a trade at some point in the upcoming months, and the Cavs are one team people think could be a destination for him.
Cleveland went 64-18 last season but got stunned in the second round of the playoffs by the streaking Indiana Pacers. While some, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, may feel Cleveland would give him a better shot at his fifth NBA championship than the Lakers could right now, working out a trade that would satisfy the Lakers, Cavaliers and James would be extremely difficult.