Lakers to Open Season Against Warriors on Wednesday
The Los Angeles Lakers kick off their 82-game regular season schedule against the Golden State Warriors at home.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Golden State Warriors for their season opener this Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off for the matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the team begins its quest for a deep playoff run.
Why it matters
The matchup serves as the initial test for a heavily reshuffled Lakers squad that added nine new players during the offseason. The game marks the beginning of an 82-game campaign for a roster looking to integrate new talent into their core rotation.
The Lakers are preparing for a full 82-game regular season slate featuring a roster that includes nine new additions. Austin Reaves, who is now 28 years old, returns to the lineup following his 2021-22 debut season.
The players
Austin Reaves
The 28-year-old guard continues to be a central part of the Lakers rotation as he moves past his early career benchmarks.
Walker Kessler
The big man joins the Lakers roster after previously playing in Salt Lake City.
Bronny James
The guard participated in team practice on Tuesday as he prepares for the upcoming season schedule.
Luka Doncic
The star player is currently listed on the active Lakers roster for the season.
Ziaire Williams
The player joined the Lakers roster after moving from the Brooklyn Nets organization.
The details
The team continued preparations at their training facility in El Segundo on Tuesday, where Bronny James returned to practice. Meanwhile, the organization is expected to release its first official injury report regarding sidelined players at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Timeline
Tuesday: Lakers players held practice at the El Segundo training facility.
Tuesday, 5 p.m.: Expected release of the team's first official injury report.
Wednesday: Lakers season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Scheduled tip-off time for the season opener at Crypto.com Arena.
Season Trajectory
The season opener is the first step in the Lakers long-term plan to secure a competitive spot for a deep playoff run. This contest sets the tone for how the newly revamped roster will perform within the rigorous 82-game NBA schedule.
Fans should monitor the team's first official injury report released at 5 p.m. Tuesday to confirm the status of key roster players before the game. The 7 p.m. Wednesday tip-off marks the first opportunity to see how the nine new roster additions integrate with existing stars.
The takeaway
The Lakers begin their season with significant roster turnover and high expectations for a long postseason run. Fans can expect to see a mix of veteran stability and new talent as the team navigates its 82-game schedule.
Further reading
Find more coverage of the team in our Los Angeles Basketball section.
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Do you believe the Lakers' current roster additions are enough to lead them to a title?
