Fans won't have to wait long to see the new-look Lakers in action, as they're set to take on a familiar foe on Opening Night of the 2021-22 NBA season.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook will take the floor for their first taste of official action together when the Lakers host Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors. It's worth noting that this meeting falls five months to the date of the two teams meeting in the NBA's inaugural Play-In Tournament, in which a late 3-pointer from LeBron proved to be the difference in LA's 103-100 victory.
While the Warriors would end up missing the playoffs altogether, the Lakers weren't there for long, suffering a first-round loss at the hands of the Suns, meaning both teams are chomping at the bit to return to action, with the Lakers looking to make a run for their second title in three years.
MORE: Lakers' championship hopes rest on bounce-back year from AD
LA's new-look begins with Westbrook but extends much further, as its offseason acquisitons also include the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Malik Monk and Rajon Rondo, among others. As Golden State awaits the return of Klay Thompson, it will rely heavily on the play of Curry, who willed his team to victory at Staples Center in a MLK Day thriller last season.
Does Curry have it in him to lead this team to victory to open the season? Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Warriors vs. Lakers on the NBA's Opening Night.
MORE: Klay Thompson injury updates
What channel is Lakers vs. Warriors on?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Watch TNT
Lakers vs. Warriors can be watched on TNT for those with traditional cable or streamed via Watch TNT. The game will tip off following the conclusion of Nets vs. Bucks.
What time does Lakers vs. Warriors start?
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 19
- Time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT
Lakers vs. Warriors is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 19. The game will be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Warriors schedule 2021-22
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Oct. 19 | at Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Oct. 21 | vs. Clippers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Oct. 24 | at Kings | 9 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 26 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 28 | vs. Grizzlies | 10 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 30 | vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 3 | vs. Hornets | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 5 | vs. Pelicans | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 7 | vs. Rockets | 8:30 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 8 | vs. Hawks | 10 p.m. | – |
(All times Eastern)
Lakers schedule 2021-22
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Oct. 19 | vs. Warriors | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Oct. 22 | vs. Suns | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Oct. 24 | vs. Grizzlies | 9:30 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 26 | at Spurs | 8:30 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 27 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 29 | vs. Cavaliers | 10:30 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 31 | vs. Rockets | 10:30 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 2 | vs. Rockets | 10:30 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Thunder | 10:30 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 6 | at Trail Blazers | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
(All times Eastern)
NBA schedule for 2021-22
After a truncated season in 2020-21, the NBA returns to its standard 82-game format for the 2021-22 campaign, which is the league's 75th anniversary season. The above Opening Night matchup is the first of 12 marquee games of Opening Week of the NBA season.
The first four days of the season will feature eight national television games. Those games will showcase:
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 17, 2021
• 12 different teams
• The last eight players to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award
• Three rematches from last season’s playoffs. pic.twitter.com/B6ccuTTTb5
Here are some key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season:
- Regular season begins: Oct. 19
- NBA All-Star 2022: Feb. 18-20
- Regular season concludes: April 10
- Play-In Tournament: April 12-15
- Playoffs begin: April 16
- NBA Finals begin: June 2
- 2022 NBA Draft: June 23
