The Lakers now know their 2026-27 regular schedule – the longest road trips (the annual Grammy swing in late January/early February), the long homestands (three separate five-game stretches in December, March and April) and the competitive breaks.
They also know the marquee matchups in which Luka Doncic will be the featured player, leading a roster that was reconstructed around the Slovenian superstar.
Advertisement
Here are several big games the Lakers and Doncic should have circled in 2026-27:
Oct. 21: vs. Warriors in Los Angeles
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors takes a shot against Kris Dunn and Darius Garland of the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Intuit Dome on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, California. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
By the time October rolls around, Doncic would’ve already been with the Lakers for 20 months.
This won’t be his first season opener in the Purple and Gold, but it will be the Lakers’ first season opener without former superstar LeBron James on the roster since 2017, marking a pivotal moment in the franchise’s Doncic-led era.
Oct. 25: at Jazz in Salt Lake City
This matchup is less about Doncic and the Lakers, and more about their marquee offseason acquisition, center Walker Kessler, playing his former team for the first time after the Jazz sent Kessler to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade.
Advertisement
Kessler, the No. 22 pick in the 2022 draft, spent the first four seasons of his NBA career in Utah before restricted free agency led him to Los Angeles.
This will be the first of three matchups between the Lakers and the defending Western Conference champions.
It’ll also be the first matchup between two players in Doncic and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, French phenom Victor Wembanyama, who finished in the top-four in MVP voting in 2025-26.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves works against Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
This is the first of a pair of two-game series between the Lakers and Timberwolves – the two Western Conference playoff teams who underwent the most change this offseason.
Advertisement
The Timberwolves will have plenty of starpower on their end, led by All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards, four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert and recently-acquired All-Star guard LaMelo Ball.
This will be a good test for both teams to see where they stand in the conference.
Dec. 25: vs. 76ers in Los Angeles
Christmas Day matchups always draw eyeballs.
Add in this being James’ first game against the Lakers in Los Angeles since leaving the franchise, and the anticipation will be even higher.
It’ll be interesting to see how the crowd inside Crypto.com Arena reacts to James’ return after LeBron left behind a complicated Lakers’ legacy despite delivering them their lone NBA title over the last 15 years.
Advertisement
Jan. 7: vs. Celtics in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on Monday, March 16, 2026. (Imagn Images) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Even during a season the Celtics may take a step back after trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers for Paul George, Lakers-Celtics remains one of the league’s marquee games because of the historic rivalry between the franchises.
Doncic is still looking for his first win against the Celtics since joining the Lakers. If he wants to ever make a name for himself in Purple and Gold, beating the Celtics is a must.
Jan. 26: vs. Thunder in Los Angeles
The 2025 NBA champions, led by two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, beat the Lakers in all four 2025-26 regular-season matchups by an averaged margin of victory over 29.5 points before sweeping the Lakers in the second round of the playoffs.
Advertisement
This should be a true measuring stick game for Doncic and the Lakers in the second half of the season.
Jan. 30: at Knicks in New York
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic breaks away from New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby during the first quarter on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (JASON SZENES) JASON SZENES/ NY POST
For several years, Lakers at Knicks offered the one annual opportunity to witness James play on the NBA’s biggest stage at Madison Square Garden.
Now, Doncic will be in the spotlight against the defending NBA champions.
Matchups against the Mavericks in Dallas should become less emotional for Doncic as more time passes – especially compared to his first time playing against his former team at American Airlines Center in April 2025 after shockingly being traded to the Lakers two months prior.
Advertisement
But this will still be just Doncic’s third game in Dallas since the trade.
Doncic, and fellow star guard Austin Reaves, sat out of the second visit to Dallas last April because of their season-ending lower body injuries.
Read the full article here
