NBA 2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers full schedule and Key games

The NBA has released the schedule for the 2022-23 season, and the Los Angeles Lakers remain a fixture to open the new season. The Lakers will travel to face the reigning champion Golden State Warriors on opening night, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics preceding them on the opening slate.

Los Angeles will hope that opening night is the start of a path back to the postseason for the storied franchise after an underwhelming season a year ago. 

As Los Angeles hopes to make a return to the postseason, they will embark on their campaign under new head coach Darvin Ham. The Lakers also signed guard Lonnie Walker IV in the offseason, as well as agreed to terms with former Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson.

To further round out the roster, Los Angeles signed Scotty Pippen Jr. to a two-way contract and also added center Damian Jones for depth in the middle.

2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers schedule

Key Games:

October 18th - Lakers vs Warriors

After a season that was quite literally the opposite for each of the two teams, with the Lakers failing to make the playoffs and the Warriors winning their seventh championship, this one has got all kinds of layers in play. That’s before we acknowledge the fact that LeBron vs. Steph is always something to behold, regardless of who else is on the court. At this point, whether the Lakers are able to add Kyrie Irving to their roster or not, this will be without doubt a serious test of their credentials. Perhaps the positive here is that it will come right off the bat. Where the Warriors are concerned, they have been known to be slow starters on occasion, but rest assured there are always fireworks when these two meet.

October 20th - Lakers vs Clippers

On the one hand, this should be an easy outing for the Lakers, but with two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard back on the Clippers’ roster, things could get interesting between these two cross-town rivals. One way or another, when the Lakers face the Clippers it’s always an exciting showdown and with some of the loudest fans in the NBA, you can bet this edition of the rivalry won’t disappoint.

November 13th - Lakers vs. Nets

As mentioned before, the Kyrie Irving to Lakers saga is well and truly underway, however, the reality is whether the prolific point guard is on LA’s roster or not, it’s going to be a complicated game for LeBron and Co. For their part, the Nets have bigger worries on their hands than Irving which is to say they need to sort out Kevin Durant’s situation. Ultimately, whether it’s Russell Westbrook’s future, Irving’s unpredictability or Durant’s demands, expect the chatter to dominate what could otherwise be an interesting game.

December 2nd - Lakers vs Bucks

In what will be a homecoming of sorts, Milwaukee’s former coach will lead the Lakers into a battle against the team that he helped to win the 2021 NBA Championship. Indeed, Darvin Hamm will undoubtedly have to calm himself as he takes on his former charges. Look out for the ‘Greek Freak’ and Co. who will surely be hoping to spoil the welcome home party for the man that brought them a title. Needless to say, this will be a clear test of what the Lakers have to offer across the season.

December 13th - Lakers vs Celtics

With the passing of Bill Russell and the brilliance of a young Celtics team that nearly got their hands on the Larry O’Brien trophy this past campaign, this one is going to be extra special. With both franchises sitting on 17 titles a piece, there has perhaps never been a better moment to watch the rivalry than right here and now. In their last 10 games, the teams are equal with 5 wins a piece so expect this one to be lit.

December 25th - Lakers vs Mavericks

Just two years ago the Lakers hosted the Mavericks on Christmas day and to add spice to the pot, it should be said that some of The Lakers most exciting games in recent years have been against the boys from Dallas. Add fan favorite Luka Dončić to the equation and you’ve got yourself the making of a real yuletide special. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers navigate this one as they are accustomed to playing at home on Christmas day. Can the boys in yellow and purple show the Mavericks that ‘on the up’ means nothing? Watch this space.

February 15th - Lakers vs Pelicans

With Zion Williamson having signed a massive extension and more importantly healthy once again, it goes without saying that his name will dominate the buildup to this one. That’s not to say that CJ McCollum’s return to fitness isn’t also a big deal. In what will be the last game before the All-Star break, there will be an element of revenge in this one as the Pelicans clinched the last playoff spot ahead of the Lakers in the 2021-22 campaign. With Western Conference ranking implications, be assured that this game is going to be intense.

March 7th - Lakers vs Grizzlies

Given the date, it goes without saying that playoff implications will well and truly be in play, but truthfully this game will be all about former Lakers icon and one time Grizzlies player Pau Gasol. The Catalan sensation will see his No. 16 jersey retired and lifted into the rafters, thereby becoming the 12th Laker to see his jersey removed from rosters. A fitting end and occasion for a player who alongside the late Kobe Bryant won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

April 9th - Lakers vs Jazz

The importance and intensity of this one will depend on where the Lakers are at in the table. Should there be a repeat of last season’s fiasco, then expect it to be a formality. If, however, the Lakers are heading for the post season or hunting for a play-in spot, then expect this one to be full of fireworks. Regardless, when these two get together it’s always intense and given where the two teams are at today, the Lakers should feel no fear about their chances of getting the W.

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