The Lakers schedule will feature a familiar opening-night storyline for Golden State, with the Warriors beginning their 2026-27 regular season against the Lakers in Los Angeles on Oct. 21. It is the second straight season-opening matchup between the teams and it immediately puts an aging Warriors core under the spotlight.
That matters because the Warriors are again leaning on the same familiar faces from last season’s 37-45 squad, led by 38-year-old Steph Curry and 37-year-old Draymond Green. For a team trying to stay competitive across a long regular season, the early test in Los Angeles is only the start of a demanding run.
Why the opener matters
The schedule release came Thursday, and it underlines just how busy the Warriors’ season could be. They have 15 back-to-backs and 28 national broadcasts, a sign that the league still expects plenty of attention around Curry and Golden State even as the roster carries more mileage than most contenders.
Opening against the Lakers in Los Angeles is also a reminder that this rivalry remains central to the NBA calendar. The Warriors will want to set the tone immediately, especially after last year’s play-in exit and with little room for a slow start.
Key dates on the Warriors’ schedule
There are several other marquee dates that stand out for Golden State. The Warriors will play the Suns on Nov. 2, the Heat on Nov. 5, the Rockets on Nov. 11, the Raptors on Dec. 18, the Nuggets on Dec. 25, and the Spurs on Jan. 30.
Those matchups are a good snapshot of the challenge ahead. They bring elite opponents, national attention and little breathing room for a squad that has to manage its workload carefully.
A tough year for an older core
The broader concern is obvious. Golden State are asking a 38-year-old Curry and a 37-year-old Green to carry a schedule that offers plenty of spotlight games and plenty of recovery issues.
That does not mean the Warriors cannot compete. But it does mean the Lakers schedule opener on Oct. 21 is more than just a headline game. It is the first indication of how well this group can handle the demands of a season that looks heavy on travel, attention and repeated pressure tests.
For the Warriors, the path to relevance starts immediately in Los Angeles.
