Michael Nyarko
The 2023-24 season schedules are out, revealing that the Los Angeles Lakers are slated for over 40 games on national television. This encompasses 11 matches on TNT, 12 on NBA TV, 11 on ESPN, and six on ABC.
Despite a less impressive 43-39 record last season, the Lakers defied expectations by reaching the Western Conference Finals as the seventh seed. As LeBron James heads into his 21st season, there’s keen interest in whether the Lakers can secure their 18th championship.
October 24 @ Nuggets (TNT)
On October 24th, the Lakers will kick off the NBA season against the Nuggets in a game airing on TNT. This marks a rematch of the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets have emerged as rivals, particularly after their championship victory, and even their coach, Mike Malone, has taken jabs at LeBron’s age. Throughout his career, LeBron has used such disrespect as motivation. As the season begins, LeBron seems prepared to respond strongly. The matchup will draw significant attention as Nikola Jokic returns from tending to his horses in Serbia to lead the Nuggets against LeBron and his team in Denver.
October 26 vs. Suns (TNT)
The Lakers’ first home game will be against the newly formed Phoenix Suns, who boast players like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Deandre Ayton. This matchup holds significance as it’s the first time LeBron has played against Durant since Christmas 2018. Worth mentioning, LeBron has a favorable career record of 15-6 against KD in regular-season games.
November 1 vs. Clippers (ESPN)
The clash between LA’s basketball teams will occur at Crypto.com Arena, shared by both sides. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will join forces with Russell Westbrook in an attempt to get back at his former team. It’s noteworthy that the Clippers are presently enjoying an 11-game winning streak against the Lakers.
November 25 @ Cavaliers
LeBron will be making his 11th return to Cleveland to face his former team. The Cavaliers have managed to defeat James on just three occasions, but they emerged victorious in both games last year.
December 12 @ Mavericks (TNT)
LeBron and Anthony Davis will journey to the “Lone Star State” to face off against Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Kyrie’s commitment to a three-year, $126 million contract with Dallas has quelled speculations of him joining LA through free agency. Nevertheless, the matchup between Kyrie and LeBron remains an intriguing storyline for fans. The Lakers managed just a single victory in their four encounters against the Mavericks in the previous season.
December 13 @ Spurs (NBA TV)
In this game, fans can anticipate an exciting duel between the highly-touted rookie, Victor Wembanyama, often dubbed “the greatest prospect since LeBron,” as he goes up against James. Additionally, there’s a scheduled rematch between these teams on December 15 at the AT&T Center, set to be televised on ESPN. In the previous season, both squads ranked among the top three in pace, yet the Lakers managed to secure victories in all four encounters against the Spurs.
December 25 vs. Celtics (ABC)
On Christmas Day, the most storied rivalry in NBA history will unfold as the Lakers welcome the Boston Celtics. It’s worth mentioning that the Lakers hold the record for the most Christmas wins in NBA history, standing at 24-25. Regarding this specific contest, the Lakers experienced defeats in overtime during both matchups against the Celtics last year.
January 3 vs. Heat (ESPN)
In this matchup, there will be a reprise of the 2020 NBA Finals, with Jimmy Butler leading last year’s Eastern Conference champions against the Lakers during their Western road trip. In the previous year, these teams faced each other twice and ended up with a split result.
January 5 vs. Grizzlies (ESPN)
Reviewing the rivalry from the previous season, the contest between LA and Memphis was marked by abundant trash talk and on-court altercations. This upcoming game will serve as a rematch of the first-round playoff series last year, during which the Lakers emerged victorious with a 4-2 win against the second-seeded Grizzlies. It’s worth mentioning that the primary instigator of the drama, Dillon Brooks, has moved to Houston through a sign-and-trade deal. Nonetheless, there remains a palpable tension between the two teams. Notably, in the 2022-2023 season, the Lakers secured a 2-1 advantage in the regular season series.
January 27 @ Warriors (ABC)
This matchup will serve as a reprise of the playoff encounter from the previous year’s Western Conference Semifinals. LeBron aims to extend his recent track record of triumphs against his longstanding rival, with the Lakers securing a 3-1 regular season and a 4-2 playoff record against Golden State in the last season.
March 13 @ Kings (ESPN)
During the previous season, Sacramento and LA engaged in thrilling and tightly contested clashes, with the Kings emerging victorious in three out of four encounters. In the solitary game the Lakers secured, both sides collectively scored 170 points within regulation (136-134). This game will be televised twice on ESPN this season, and fans are anticipating a high-scoring affair.
March 26 @ Bucks (TNT)
This nationally televised interconference game will shine a spotlight on the duel between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Davis, with AD having secured victory in 11 out of 19 encounters. In the previous season, a game involving both players saw them each scoring over 40 points. Positioned later in the year, this matchup is likely to provide valuable insight into the teams’ standings as they approach the postseason.
which matchup are you looking forward to ? Let us know in the comments