The Los Angeles Lakers open their 2026-27 NBA season at home against the Golden State Warriors tonight, October 21, in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena. This matchup follows a preseason where the Lakers finished with a 2-3 record, including a 106-121 loss to the Denver Nuggets on October 16.
The league's opening week continues with a packed 11-game slate tonight. The action starts at 7 p.m. ET with several games, including the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks facing the Orlando Magic. ESPN's doubleheader begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Miami Heat. The nightcap features the Lakers and Warriors at 10 p.m. ET.
Other notable games include the Dallas Mavericks at the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns at the Portland Trail Blazers. Fans can check local listings for regional broadcasts or use streaming services to watch their team.
Los Angeles had a mixed bag of results in their five preseason contests. They started strong with a 127-103 road win over the Sacramento Kings on October 5. But they dropped their next two games, falling 124-98 to the Warriors on October 6 and 101-89 to the same Golden State team on October 13.
They bounced back with a tight 114-110 victory against the Kings on October 8. Their final preseason tune-up, however, was a 106-121 defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets on October 16. These games provided head coach JJ Redick and his staff with valuable evaluation time for rotations and player conditioning.
Tonight's game is a classic Western Conference showdown loaded with star power. The Lakers will rely on their core of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to set the tone early. Their perimeter defense and three-point shooting will be tested against a Warriors squad known for its offensive firepower.
Golden State swept the two preseason meetings, so the Lakers will be looking for immediate regular-season redemption. Execution in the fourth quarter will likely decide this one. Both teams want to start the long 82-game campaign with a statement win on national television.
The Los Angeles Lakers versus Golden State Warriors game is broadcast nationally on ESPN. It can also be streamed live via the ESPN app with a valid cable subscription or through streaming platforms that carry the channel, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV. Local fans in the Los Angeles market can watch the game on Spectrum SportsNet.
For the rest of the league's games, viewers should consult their local regional sports networks. National broadcast schedules for the season are available on the NBA's official website and app. The Lakers' next game after tonight will be part of their early-season schedule as they look to build momentum.
