A Preseason Lakers Game That Doubles as a Preview
Golden State's busiest preseason week puts the Lakers on the schedule twice in sixteen days, turning the October 6 game at Chase Center into the first real look at the team it opens the regular season against on October 21.
The Warriors play four preseason games this week: at the Clippers on October 4, at home against the Lakers on October 6, at Portland the next night, and at home against Sacramento on October 10. The back-to-back middle stretch, built around the Lakers game that mirrors the regular-season opener, will say more about this roster than the preseason record does.
The Week on the Calendar
Four games in six days. Golden State opens at the Clippers on October 4, hosts the Lakers on October 6 on NBA TV, travels to Portland for a back-to-back the following night, also on NBA TV, and closes the week at home against the Kings on October 10. None of it counts in the standings, but the back-to-back is the first test of how deep Steve Kerr can go into his bench on short rest.
Why the Lakers Game Is Different
Three of these four opponents are forgettable in October. The Lakers are not. Golden State opens the regular season at Los Angeles on October 21, on ESPN, which means the October 6 meeting at Chase Center functions as a dress rehearsal for the matchup that opens the real season. Whatever lineup Kerr runs out that night, in front of an NBA TV audience, is worth checking again on opening night.
Who Won't Suit Up
Jimmy Butler III will miss the entire stretch; his knee injury carries an estimated return of January 2, 2027. Moses Moody is targeting a December 1 return, which rules him out of every preseason game left. Alex Toohey, day-to-day with a knee issue, has an estimated return of October 4 — the same day as the Clippers game — so he could be available the moment the week starts.
What the Back-to-Back Will Show
Without Butler and Moody, the extra minutes have to come from somewhere, and last season's late stretch hints at who. Gui Santos closed last season averaging close to 30 minutes a night over his final ten games, nearly ten more than his average for the year, and Charles Bassey picked up nine extra minutes a night over his last three once a teammate went down. The Trail Blazers back-to-back is the first chance this preseason to see whether Kerr leans on that depth again or keeps it in reserve for games that count.
Will Jimmy Butler or Moses Moody play in the preseason?
No. Butler's knee injury has an estimated return of January 2, 2027, and Moody is targeting December 1, so both will miss every preseason game, including this week's four.
Why does the preseason game against the Lakers matter?
Because Golden State opens the regular season at the Lakers on October 21 on ESPN, so the October 6 meeting at Chase Center previews the same matchup three weeks early.
