The Los Angeles Lakers released their schedule on August 13th, after announcing their season opener and Christmas Day game.
The Lakers are coming into the season with a lot of eyes, as usual, but this year possibly more so than ever.
LA fans have a whole new roster to meet during the regular season, while outside viewers will want to see what happens when LeBron James leaves the franchise.
Luka Doncic is fully healthy and ready for another MVP award push, possibly even capturing the award this year as he takes the reins of franchise leadership.
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Additionally, the entire ownership debacle is raising more questions than answers about the franchise’s future.
However, the Lakers will soon set the chatter aside and let their basketball do the talking. Here are three stretches to look out for:
End of December
During this period, the Lakers will face LeBron James on Christmas Day, and it will be at home. James will likely do all that he can to get healthy and be available for that game, while Doncic gets a chance to show why the Lakers were right to build the team around him.
Additionally, the team faces a tough run-up to Christmas Day, with two games against Minnesota and Denver during that stretch.
With Jokic, the Nuggets will always be a tough cookie, and the new-look Wolves with LaMelo Ball might be a sneaky contender out west.
The Grammys road trip
As always, when the Grammys come to town, the Lakers make haste and go on a very long road trip. This year, it will be from Jan. 28th to Feb. 8th.
During this time, the Lakers play three serious contenders: the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs.
Rest and time away from family will be tough on the players, but it can also help real chemistry form.
Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick at a press conference at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesEnd of Febuary/Start of March
The Lakers got on a mini road trip here, heading out to Denver, then Dallas, for a game that will always get some emotion out of Doncic, along with a stop in Orlando and then Philadelphia, for a crowd that will want to throw their support around James.
After this run of four straight away from home, they return to host the Oklahoma City Thunder, just about as rough a welcome-back as the Lakers can get at this point.