The NBA's defending champs will face perhaps their biggest challenger to kick off the 2020-21 season.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the new-look Lakers begin their quest for back-to-back titles on Opening Night against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers. After exiting the NBA "bubble" with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the Lakers rebuilt their roster and signed both James and Davis to new deals, putting them in position to be a contender for years to come. They unsurprisingly enter the season as the championship favorites.
However, the Clippers remain a threat. The visual of the Clippers walking off the floor after blowing 3-1 series lead against the Nuggets in the 2020 NBA playoffs may linger for many fans, but coach Tyronn Lue, who replaced Doc Rivers this past offseason, knows he has a talented group capable of making a deep postseason run.
Which team will win the latest battle for LA? Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Clippers vs. Lakers on the NBA's Opening Night.
MORE: Sporting News' predictions for 2020-21 NBA season
What channel is Lakers vs. Clippers on?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Watch TNT
Clippers vs. Lakers can be watched on TNT for those with traditional cable or streamed via Watch TNT. The game will tip off following the conclusion of Warriors vs. Nets.
What time does Lakers vs. Clippers start?
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 22
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
Clippers vs. Lakers is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 22. The game will be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Lakers announced in November that games at Staples Center will be held without fans "until further notice."
Clippers schedule 2020-21
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 22 | at Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 25 | at Nuggets | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 27 | vs. Mavericks | 3:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 29 | vs. Timberwolves | 10 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 30 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 1 | at Jazz | 9 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 3 | at Suns | 8 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 5 | vs. Spurs | 10 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 6 | at Warriors | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 8 | at Warriors | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
Lakers schedule 2020-21
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 22 | vs. Clippers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 25 | vs. Mavericks | 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
| Dec. 27 | vs. Timberwolves | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 28 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 30 | at Spurs | 8:30 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 1 | at Spurs | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 3 | at Grizzlies | 6 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 5 | at Grizzlies | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 7 | vs. Spurs | 10 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 8 | vs. Bulls | 10 p.m. | — |
NBA schedule for 2020-21
Each team will play a 72-game schedule. Complete game and broadcast schedules for the first half of the season were revealed on Dec. 4. The league will announce the second half of the schedule separately in order to maintain flexibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NBA regular season game and broadcast schedule for the first half of the 2020-21 season begins December 22, 2020 and runs through March 4, 2021!
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2020
FULL SCHEDULE: https://t.co/tWuziferWB#KiaTipOff20 #OnlyHere pic.twitter.com/6gA6xwkofA
Here's a tentative breakdown of 2020-21 NBA calendar:
- First half of regular season: Dec. 22, 2020-March 4, 2021
- All-Star break: March 5-10, 2021
- Second half of regular season: March 11-May 16, 2021
- Play-in tournament: May 18-21, 2021
- NBA playoffs: May 22-July 22, 2021
