LOS ANGELES — The NBA turned the page on Thursday, and for the Los Angeles Lakers, the script for their 2025-26 season reads like a blockbuster movie.

The feature stars LeBron James, who enters into his record-breaking 23rd NBA season, and the new slim down Luka Dončić, who is preparing for his first full campaign in purple and gold.

The schedule release confirmed what fans already knew: the Lakers remain must-watch basketball. Los Angeles is tied with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Golden State Warriors, and the New York Knicks for the most nationally televised games this year, reflecting their status as both a global brand and a perennial contender.

Here are some of the highlights of the 82-game schedule:

Opening Night at Home

The season tips off October 21 at Crypto.com Arena with a marquee showdown against Steph Curry and the Warriors on NBC. The league clearly wanted fireworks right away, and this rivalry has rarely disappointed.

Just weeks later, the Lakers jump straight into the NBA Cup, opening group play in Memphis on October 31. They’ll face a gauntlet in West Group B, which includes the Clippers, Pelicans, and Mavericks.

Anthony Davis Returns to L.A.

Circle November 28 on the calendar. That’s when Anthony Davis makes his long-awaited return to Los Angeles in a Dallas Mavericks uniform. Last season, the anticipated reunion never happened after Davis was sidelined by injury. This year, he’ll step back onto the Crypto.com Arena floor in a game that doubles as the Lakers’ final group-stage matchup of the in-season tournament.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video, with plenty of eyes on how Lakers fans welcome back the former cornerstone who helped deliver a title in 2020 before his shocking trade.

Holiday Spotlight

Christmas Day once again belongs to Los Angeles. The Lakers host the Houston Rockets in ABC’s 5 p.m. showcase, a game that promises star power, storylines, and the kind of drama that makes the NBA’s holiday slate a tradition.

The Grammy Trip Grind

The annual Grammy road trip stretches over eight games beginning January 20 in Denver and includes stops in Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland, and Washington. The lone “home” interlude? A January 22 battle with the Clippers in Inglewood. Even with that short commute, the stretch is one of the toughest of the season.

Showtime Immortalized

February 22 isn’t just about basketball — it’s about history. Before the Lakers host the Boston Celtics in their only home matchup of the year, the franchise will unveil a statue honoring Pat Riley in Star Plaza. Riley’s name is etched into Lakers lore, guiding the Showtime era to four NBA championships. His likeness will now stand alongside Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Kobe, and other legends who shaped the purple and gold.

Luka and LeBron, Side by Side

As the season unfolds, the biggest intrigue remains how Luka Dončić and LeBron James will mesh across 82 games. James continues to stretch the limits of time, while Dončić — one of the league’s brightest young superstars — begins his next chapter in Los Angeles.

For head coach J.J. Redick, entering his second season, the challenge is both exciting and daunting: blending generational talent with championship urgency in a season that could swing the franchise’s trajectory.

The NBA only announced 80 of 82 games, with the final two to be determined by NBA Cup results in December. But one thing is clear: the stage is set for a season filled with rivalries, reunions, and historic milestones.

The Lakers begin training camp September 29, with preseason action starting October 3 in Palm Springs against the Suns. From there, the journey begins — a journey defined by old legends, new stars, and the constant pursuit of another banner in the rafters.