The NBA regular season is on the horizon, tipping off on October 24th. And the first game of this season will see the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the defending champion, Denver Nuggets. The Opening Night game is one of the most hyped ones, as the Lakers will look forward to brushing off last year’s defeat. The thrilling showdown will be a rematch of the Western Conference Finals last season, in which the Denver Nuggets swept the Lakers.

The storied Lakers franchise is one of the most decorated teams in the NBA. With 17 championships to their name, they are tied to the Boston Celtics for the highest number of titles. Since the NBA opening day is upon us, let’s take a closer look at the legendary franchise’s opening day record.

Los Angeles Lakers opening day record

Just like every inspirational story, the Lakers also rose from humble beginnings to dominate the league. After a series of financial setbacks and changing locations, the Lakers found their groove in Los Angeles. After failing to clinch a single title in six NBA Finals appearances in the 1960s. They had a miraculous reversal of fortune when they drafted Magic Johnson as the first overall pick of the 1979 NBA Draft. The Lakers won five titles over the following decade, making eight Finals appearances.

After winning it all in 2010, the Lakers were bereft of any tangible success until the 2020 Bubble Championship. However, after winning the 2020 NBA Finals, the Lakers took a step back in recent years. The team will hope to make a comeback this season, starting with a win on opening night.

The Los Angeles Lakers have played a total of 75 opening-day games. Out of the 75 season openers, they have won 43 of them, with a .573 winning percentage. The Lakers will hope to maintain their dominant record as they look for vengeance after last season’s ouster.

The Lakers and Nuggets preseason record

The Denver Nuggets ended their 47-year championship drought after winning it all last season. They are eager to emulate last season’s success, and the preseason games were an indication of that. The team won three of the five preseason games they played. Meanwhile, the Lakers only managed to win two of the six preseason games they participated in. However, their starting lineup did not field their best players during the preseason.

Read More: How Many Games Did Injury Prone Anthony Davis Played Last Season for the Lakers?

The Lakers re-signed all their core players in the off-season in addition to bringing in new faces. The team will be fielding a talented starting lineup including D?Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis in the season opener.

Who are you rooting for this season? The Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers? Let us know in the comments!

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