The Lakers open the week on the road, a back-to-back at Sacramento on Monday and Golden State on Tuesday, both on NBA TV. Golden State is the rival that matters most here: the Warriors host a second meeting on Oct. 13 and then arrive at Crypto.com Arena for real on Oct. 21, the night the record finally moves off 0-0.
Monday, Then Tuesday
The Lakers play at the Kings on Monday, Oct. 5, then travel to face the Warriors the very next night, Oct. 6, both on NBA TV. Sacramento comes to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, Oct. 8, on ESPN2, for the home half of that series, before Golden State returns for a second preseason meeting on Oct. 13. None of those results move the record off 0-0; that waits for Oct. 21.
The Warriors, Three Times
Golden State is the opponent the Lakers see most before anything counts: Tuesday on the road, Oct. 13 at home, and again on Oct. 21, when the regular season opens at Crypto.com Arena on ESPN. That repetition hands JJ Redick extra film on the group Austin Reaves and Doncic will face for real in three weeks. Silver Screen and Roll reported that Quentin Grimes is competing for a starting spot, a battle these same preseason minutes will help settle.
A Clean Injury Report
No Lakers are listed out heading into the week, leaving Redick a full roster for his first back-to-back of camp. Walker Kessler, who managed just five games last season before averaging 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in them, is part of that back-to-back test, an early read on how his minutes get handled before the Oct. 21 opener makes it official. Rui Hachimura logged 11 more minutes a night over his final three games last season whenever a teammate was out, a role Redick could lean on again if the back-to-back forces matching the Warriors' pace.
What preseason games do the Lakers play this week?
They play at the Kings on Oct. 5, at the Warriors on Oct. 6, and host the Kings on Oct. 8, none of which affect the record.
When do the Lakers open the regular season?
The Lakers open the 2026-27 season at home against the Warriors on Oct. 21, televised on ESPN.
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