The curtain finally rises tonight on ESPN, with Golden State in town and a season of expectations waiting on Doncic. What follows is the shape of a first act: two dates with the Clippers, one flight to Utah and consecutive nights to close it.
Opening Night Casting
The Lakers have been off since the Oct. 16 preseason loss to Denver, and they open against a Warriors team with most of its stars out. Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski are all listed out, and ESPN's Anthony Slater reported that back soreness will keep Podziemski out of the opener. Stephen Curry, who averaged 26.6 points last season, is still listed for his right ankle. Golden State won both preseason meetings, 124-98 on Oct. 6 and 101-89 on Oct. 13. Exhibitions count for nothing, but that second one stung: Austin Reaves scored 28, and nobody else picked up his pace.
The Crosstown Bookends
The Clippers matter most this week, and not only because they show up twice. Friday's game at home and next Wednesday's road game land five days apart, and the crosstown rivalry has a long memory. The second meeting is the tougher one. It comes the night after Portland visits on NBC and Peacock, so the week ends with games on back-to-back nights. Before that, Sunday in Utah is the only trip out of town. Redick told ESPN's Ben Golliver that the team's biggest unknown is how it will handle adversity. A two-game set against a division rival on tired legs should give him an answer quickly.
Who Is Off the Roster
Adou Thiero has a left knee injury and Cameron Carr has a right oblique strain, and both are out tonight. Both are listed to return Oct. 23, so Carr could make his debut against the Clippers. Lakers Nation reported that NBA general managers view him as one of the biggest steals of the 2026 draft. Collin Sexton is nursing a right calf and is listed to return tonight. He shot 40.1 percent from three last season, a number this offense will want on the floor. Bronny James and Jarred Vanderbilt are cleared. The big question is the partnership with Walker Kessler, who played only five games for the Lakers last season and averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds. Doncic told Lakers Nation that their pick-and-roll chemistry will improve with more reps. This week gives them five games to get those reps.
When do the Lakers play the Clippers this week?
They play twice: at home on Friday, Oct. 23, and on the road on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The second game is the night after they host the Trail Blazers.
Who is out for the Lakers against the Warriors?
Adou Thiero (left knee) and Cameron Carr (right oblique) are out, and both are listed to return Oct. 23. Collin Sexton is listed with a right calf injury, while Bronny James and Jarred Vanderbilt have been cleared.
