The NBA’s regular-season schedule hasn’t been released yet, but more and more details are being leaked.
Previously, it had been revealed the Los Angeles Lakers will play the defending world champion Golden State Warriors in San Francisco to begin the regular season on Oct. 18.
Two nights later, the Lakers will face the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. They are spending Christmas Day in Texas, taking on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
On Tuesday, several more key matchups involving the Purple and Gold were leaked. The full schedule is gong to be released at noon PDT on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
A matchup versus the No. 1 market
On Nov. 13, the Brooklyn Nets will travel to Southern California for their first of two tilts against the Lakers.
The #Nets will play at LeBron James and the #Lakers on Nov. 13 on ESPN, according to a league source.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) August 16, 2022
Of course, the Nets are in flux right now. It is believed both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving want to be traded, and Irving is reportedly set on becoming a Laker.
However, other reports have suggested both are OK with staying in Brooklyn and that the team wants to run it back.
Will the Nets still be a championship-caliber team on Nov. 13? Will Russell Westbrook still be a Laker? Or will Irving be reunited with LeBron James for a quest toward another championship?
All four games vs. the Clippers are set
For years, many have been trying to manufacture a rivalry between the Lakers and Clippers, but a true rivalry between them will not become official until they’ve played each other at least once in the playoffs.
For now, fans will have to settle for four regular-season matchups between L.A.’s two NBA squads.
The dates for all four matchups have been released.
Yahoo Sources: Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers will square off on following dates for 2022-23 NBA season:
Oct. 20 on TNT (Lakers home)
Nov. 9 on ESPN (Clippers home)
Jan. 24 on TNT (Lakers home)
April 5 on ESPN (Clippers home)— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 16, 2022
The Lakers have had a very poor record against the Clippers during the last 10 seasons. With the addition of John Wall, the trades for Robert Covington and Norman Powell and the return of Kawhi Leonard from an ACL injury, Clippers fans are brimming with confidence that may be bordering on arrogance.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis will surely want some revenge against them once the season starts.
Homecomings for James and Darvin Ham
The Lakers’ new head coach is Darvin Ham, a Michigan native who spent the last four seasons as a member of Mike Budenholzer’s staff on the Milwaukee Bucks.
Ham will return to Wisconsin on Dec. 2 when L.A. takes on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the 2021 NBA champs.
Another date on the calendar that is always interesting is James’ annual visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team he has spent most of his pro career with.
The Akron, Ohio, native will be there on Dec. 6.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham will make his return to Milwaukee when the Bucks host the Lakers on Dec. 2, sources tell @TheAthletic.
The Lakers will also play in Cleveland on Dec. 6 on TNT, sources say.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) August 16, 2022
Last season, the Lakers had one of their few entertaining wins of the season in March over the Cavs on the road. James put on a show with 38 points on 17-of-29 shooting, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
