The Lakers look almost nothing like they did last season. That’s why watching Los Angeles Lakers basketball will be fascinating in 2026-2027.
Luka Doncic will lead a team that kept Austin Reaves, let LeBron James go, traded for coveted center Walker Kessler, and remade the rest of its roster around youth and athleticism. But will it be enough in a crowded Western Conference?
Here’s a complete look at how to watch Los Angeles Lakers games on TV all season long. Below you’ll find what plans or services you’ll need, the team’s full schedule, and advice on how to save some money.
What channels have Los Angeles Lakers games?
You can watch most regular-season Lakers games on Spectrum SportsNet, the team’s regional TV partner. But you’ll also need access to ABC, ESPN, and NBC to catch nationally televised broadcasts. Amazon Prime Video and Peacock Premium are also in the mix, as they hold the exclusive streaming rights to several matchups.
If you’re outside the Spectrum SportsNet TV market, NBA League Pass is your best option for watching out-of-market games. Just keep in mind that blackout rules still apply to any game airing locally or nationally in your area.
Want radio coverage? You can also catch every Lakers game locally on 710 AM ESPN Radio, with Spanish-language broadcasts on 1330 AM Tu Liga Radio. For fans on the go, national coverage is available through SiriusXM NBA Radio.
2026-2027 Los Angeles Lakers TV schedule
The Lakers have a whopping 40 national TV games during the NBA regular season. So even if you’re a fan outside of the team’s market, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to watch the new roster gel and try to make some noise against the rest of the league.
To help you follow along, we’ve laid out the complete Los Angeles Lakers TV schedule in the table below. We’ll keep it updated all season with the latest tip-off times and channel listings.
NBA - Los Angeles Lakers Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | |||
Monday, Oct. 5 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Oct. 8 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Oct. 13 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Oct. 16 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
October | |||
Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Oct. 23 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
At Utah Jazz | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 5:00 p.m. | |
Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 11:00 p.m. | ||
At LA Clippers | Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 10:30 p.m. | |
Friday, Oct. 30 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
November | |||
Sunday, Nov. 1 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, Nov. 2 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Nov. 6 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 6:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, Nov. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
At Phoenix Suns | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 4:00 p.m. | |
Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Nov. 20 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, Nov. 23 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Nov. 27 | 9:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Nov. 29 | 4:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, Nov. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
December | |||
Wednesday, Dec. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, Dec. 14 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Dec. 16 | 9:30 p.m. | ||
Friday, Dec. 18 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, Dec. 21 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Dec. 23 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Dec. 25 | 5:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Dec. 27 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Dec. 31 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
January | |||
Saturday, Jan. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Jan. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Jan. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Jan. 7 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Jan. 8 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
At LA Clippers | Monday, Jan. 11 | 10:00 p.m. | |
Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Jan. 14 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Jan. 17 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Jan. 19 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Jan. 21 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Jan. 22 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Jan. 24 | 4:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 11:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Jan. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 8:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Jan. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
February | |||
Tuesday, Feb. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Feb. 4 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Feb. 6 | 8:30 p.m. | ||
At Phoenix Suns | Monday, Feb. 8 | 9:30 p.m. | |
Wednesday, Feb. 10 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Feb. 12 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Feb. 16 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Feb. 18 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Feb. 26 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Feb. 28 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
March | |||
Tuesday, March 2 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, March 4 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, March 6 | 8:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, March 7 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
Thursday, March 11 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, March 12 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, March 14 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, March 16 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, March 17 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, March 19 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, March 21 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
At Miami Heat | Tuesday, March 23 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Thursday, March 25 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, March 28 | 3:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, March 30 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
April | |||
Thursday, April 1 | 9:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, April 4 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, April 6 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, April 7 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, April 9 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Sunday, April 11 | 8:30 p.m. |
Pro tip: If you’re into virtual reality, you can watch select Lakers games on Apple Vision Pro through the Spectrum SportsNet or NBA apps starting January 9. The games are only available to fans in the team’s regional broadcast areas.
Best TV plans for watching the Los Angeles Lakers
It’s important to stay on top of your TV options, as the NBA and individual teams occasionally strike new media deals. With the way things have panned out lately, catching every Lakers game means combining a few different services. While no single provider covers everything, I recommend DIRECTV as the strongest starting point.
DIRECTV is the only live TV streaming platform that includes Spectrum SportsNet, the must-have channel for in-market broadcasts. It also carries all the national staples, like ABC, ESPN, NBC, and NBA TV. That comprehensive lineup ensures you won’t miss local broadcasts or high-profile national matchups.
The service is feature-rich, too. It offers unlimited DVR and a sports-friendly interface that lets you track your favorite teams. For full season coverage, though, you’ll still need separate subscriptions to Amazon Prime Video and Peacock Premium for their exclusive NBA games. And if you’re outside the Lakers TV market, NBA League Pass remains the best way to pick up those Spectrum SportsNet broadcasts (subject to blackout rules, of course).
Standalone in-market TV package for Lakers games
Are you a Lakers fan looking for a more flexible way to stream in-market games? Expensive TV providers like DIRECTV, Spectrum, or Cox aren’t your only options.
Spectrum SportsNet+ is a direct-to-consumer service that delivers over 70 live Lakers games, as well as pre- and post-game coverage. Since I’ve streamed games through the NBA app before, I know how slick the viewing experience is, and this service is available directly through the NBA’s app and website.
At just $19.99 per month, Spectrum SportsNet+ totally beats having to pay $80+ for a bulky live TV package just for one crucial channel. My favorite part is that it even comes with dedicated content for Los Angeles Sparks fans, who get live games and exclusive programming during the WNBA season. If you live in Southern California, Hawaii, or the southern tip of Nevada, this is your complete, in-market streaming solution.
How to watch the Lakers for free
Enjoying the Lakers doesn’t always require a pricey subscription. Many streaming services offer free trial periods, including DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV. That gives you a short window to watch nationally televised games without paying, and it’s also a handy way to test which platform feels right for you.
Old-school tricks still work, too. With more NBA games shifting to ABC and NBC, a simple digital antenna can unlock several Lakers broadcasts at no cost. I just recommend using Antennas Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator to check your local coverage.
How to watch the Los Angeles Lakers FAQ
Which channel shows the most Lakers games?
The majority of regular-season Lakers games air locally on Spectrum SportsNet. The regional sports network is available throughout Southern and Central California, Hawaii, and the Las Vegas area. If you live outside of that broadcast territory, you'll need NBA League Pass to watch those broadcasts.
Will the Lakers be on national TV often?
Yes, absolutely. As one of the league’s most high-profile franchises, the Lakers routinely get heavy national coverage. Expect plenty of appearances on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock Premium.
How can I watch Lakers games without cable?
Local Lakers fans can avoid a cable subscription by signing up for Spectrum SportsNet+ or a live TV streaming service that carries Spectrum SportsNet (like DIRECTV). For those outside the Lakers' broadcast territory, you'll need an NBA League Pass subscription for out-of-market coverage.
How can I keep up with Lakers games while traveling?
When you're traveling out of market, you'll need NBA League Pass access to watch most Lakers games. But national matchups will still be exclusive to specific channels and platforms regardless of your location in the U.S.
Who are the TV announcers for the Los Angeles Lakers?
A veteran duo holds down the broadcast booth for Lakers games on Spectrum SportsNet. You'll hear longtime play-by-play announcer Bill Macdonald alongside color commentator and former Laker, Stu Lantz.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com contributor Creshonda Smith pulled together this Lakers viewing guide by researching the latest broadcast setups, blackout rules, and schedule details. She meticulously tracked roster updates, new media deals, and streaming changes to make sure every angle was covered.
Creshonda’s goal is to give every fan a smooth viewing experience. From sorting out Spectrum SportsNet access to flagging when games shift to national networks, this guide has everything you need so you can just focus on enjoying Lakers basketball.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
