
USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and forward Anthony Davis (3) celebrate during the fourth quarter in game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsMandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and forward Anthony Davis (3) celebrate during the fourth quarter in game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsMandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The 2020/21 NBA season is almost here, and the league has released a partial schedule to make things more exciting. The reigning champions Los Angeles Lakers have a packed few months ahead of them, including an opening night duel against city rivals LA Clippers!
This is once again no ordinary regular-season as we’ll only witness a 72-game season starting on December 22. The pandemic’s impact has resulted in shortened games and a slight change in how teams play their fixtures.

USA Today via Reuters
The Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The first half’s schedule iterates how the league is looking at safety as a priority. For instance, the Lakers have several back-to-back games against opponents, and it makes sense. These fixtures are quite mouth-watering, and here are a few such games that already have us on the edge of our seats!
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Los Angeles Lakers: Blockbuster games in the first half of the season
The Lakers take on the LA Clippers on opening night (Dec 22) at 7:00 pm P.T. This will be a home game for the Lake Show and indeed a special one, as one can expect the ring presenting ceremony to take place on game day.
Moving on, the Los Angeles Lakers will continue their tradition of playing Christmas Day games, in fact, it will be their 22nd consecutive season. LeBron and co. take on the feisty Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center (5:00 pm P.T.)
This is indeed an exciting matchup considering the quality of athletes who’ll battle it out for glory on Christmas day. Luka Doncic has elevated his status and would definitely look to ruin the party in Los Angeles when he and the Mavericks take on the champions during Christmas.

USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Miami Heat in game 4 of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The purple and gold then face the Golden State Warriors on January 18, once again a home game. This fixture will be a proving ground to determine the conference favorites, but Klay Thompson’s injury has certainly handicapped the Warriors.
Next comes LeBron James versus the ‘Greek Freak!’ , as Giannis Antetokounmpo will host the Lakers at the Fiserv Forum on January 21. The Milwaukee Bucks will be on a redemption run after a poor end to their 2020 season, but do they have enough to outshine the defending champs?
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Who wants to see a recap of the 2020 NBA Finals? Well, everyone does! The Miami Heat take on the Lakers on February 20 and it is a road game for Jimmy Butler and the team. Both teams have added reinforcements from last season, and it would definitely be an exciting clash when these two incredible teams meet on the court!
Read: MONEY MAN: NBA Records LeBron James Will Break With His Extension With Los Angeles Lakers
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Lakers’ partial schedule for the 2021 season
Dec 11 (7:00 pm PT) Home | LA Clippers (Pre-season) | Jan 25 (4:30 pm PT) Away | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Dec 13 (5:30 pm PT) Home | LA Clippers (Pre-season) | Jan 27 (4:30 pm PT) Away | |
Dec 16 (6:30 pm PT) Away | Phoenix Suns (Pre-season) | Jan 28 (4:00 pm PT) Away | Detriot Pistons |
Dec 18 (7:00 pm PT) Away | Phoenix Suns (Pre-season) | Jan 30 (5:00 pm PT) Away | Boston Celtics |
Dec 22 (7:00 pm PT) Home | LA Clippers | Feb 1 (4:30 pm PT) Away | Atlanta Hawks |
Dec 25 (5:00 pm PT) Home | Dallas Mavericks | Feb 4 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Denver Nuggets |
Dec 27 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Minnesota Timberwolves | Feb 6 (7:00 pm PT) Home | |
Dec 28 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Portland Trail Blazers | Feb 8 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Dec 30 (5:30 pm PT) Away | San Antonio Spurs | Feb 10 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Jan 1 (5:00 pm PT) Away | San Antonio Spurs | Feb 12 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Memphis Grizzlies |
Jan 3 (3:00 pm PT) Away | Memphis Grizzlies | Feb 14 (4:30 pm PT) Away | |
Jan 5 (5:00 pm PT) Away | Memphis Grizzlies | Feb 16 (5:00 pm PT) Away | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Jan 7 (7:00 pm PT) Home | San Antonio Spurs | Feb 18 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Brooklyn Nets |
Jan 8 (5:00 pm PT) Home | Chicago Bulls | Feb 20 (5:30 pm PT) Home | Miami Heat |
Jan 10 (4:00 pm PT) Away | Houston Rockets | Feb 22 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Washington Wizards |
Jan 12 (5:00 pm PT) Away | Houston Rockets | Feb 24 (7:00 pm PT) Away | Utah Jazz |
Jan 13 (5:00 pm PT) Away | Oklahoma City Thunder | Feb 26 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Portland Trail Blazers |
Jan 15 (7:00 pm PT) Home | New Orleans Pelicans | Feb 28 (5:00 pm PT) Home | Golden State Warriors |
Jan 18 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Golden State Warriors | Mar 2 (7:00 pm PT) Home | Phoenix Suns |
Jan 21 (4:30 pm PT) Away | Milwaukee Bucks | Mar 3 (7:00 pm PT) Away | Sacramento Kings |
Jan 23 (5:00 pm PT) Away | Chicago Bulls |
Read: From James Harden to Steph Curry, Players Who Will Earn the Highest Salary for 2020-21 NBA Season
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