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Lawrence Tanter's Voice Goes Quiet as Camp Nears

The Lakers lose the man who introduced every starting five for decades, eleven days before preseason tips off.

Luka Doncic33.5 points, 8.3 assists a night across 64 games last season
By the Lakers Nightly Desk · Thursday, September 24

For decades, Lawrence Tanter's voice opened every night at the arena, calling out lineups before a single shot went up. The Lakers confirmed Wednesday that Tanter died at 76, a loss the franchise absorbs as camp turns toward Luka Doncic's first full season in Los Angeles.

Luka Doncic of the Lakers
Luka Doncic. Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A Voice Retired

Tanter introduced Lakers lineups for so long his cadence became part of the home experience, a voice fans could recite themselves. ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Los Angeles Times' Thuc Nhi Nguyen and Lakers Nation's Daniel Starkand each confirmed Wednesday that Tanter died at 76, closing out a chapter of the arena that outlasted several eras of the roster.

Camp Still Ahead

The mourning comes as the calendar turns toward basketball. The Lakers open preseason October 5 at Sacramento, play the Warriors twice before the exhibition slate ends October 13, then host Golden State again October 21 to open the regular season on ESPN. Doncic leads that group into his first full season here, flanked by Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler and a frontcourt still finding its shape under JJ Redick.

The Number That Waits

One figure hangs over the season before it starts: payroll sits at $201.3 million, above the league's $200.4 million tax threshold, a bill that only makes sense if Doncic repeats last season's production. Camp will start answering whether this group, rebuilt around him, is worth the number.

Who was Lawrence Tanter?

He was the Lakers' longtime public-address announcer, a voice at home games until his death at 76, confirmed by the team and multiple outlets on September 24, 2026.

When does the Lakers' season actually start?

Preseason opens October 5 at Sacramento, and the regular season opener is October 21, hosting the Warriors on ESPN.

By the Lakers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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