NBA 2026-27 season schedule and Lakers preview

The 2026-27 NBA regular season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The opening night will feature a nationally televised tripleheader on NBC and Peacock, including matchups between the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, and the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

All 30 NBA teams are expected to play their home openers within the first six days of the season. Notable early matchups include the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors on October 21, and LeBron James making his home debut in Philadelphia against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 22.

Looking ahead to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers enter the year following a 53-win campaign under coach J. J. Redick. The team's performance was heavily influenced by Luka Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points per game, though his season was impacted by an injury sustained in April. LeBron James remains a central figure for the franchise as he enters his 23rd professional season.