The Los Angeles Lakers have arguably put together the most intriguing roster for the 2021-22 NBA season, so it’s no surprise that they’ll be featured prominently on the league’s national television schedule. L.A. is set to face other championship contenders in some of the regular-season’s most highly anticipated games.

As part of the NBA’s Opening Night on Oct. 19, the Lakers will host the Golden State Warriors. The NBA’s Christmas Day schedule is highlighted by a matchup between Los Angeles and the Brooklyn Nets.

The Lakers defeated the Warriors in the first round of the 2021 play-in tournament. Golden State missed the postseason entirely, but they are expected to be one of the league’s top teams with Klay Thompson returning from injury.

Russell Westbrook is set to make his Laker debut when L.A. welcomes Golden State to Staples Center. The Lakers agreed to trade for Westbrook on the day of the NBA Draft. Adding Westbrook and a bevy of other veterans has turned the Lakers into heavy favorites to win the Western Conference.

While Los Angeles’ trio of Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis is viewed as the best in the West, Brooklyn is still considered to have the top trio in all of basketball. With Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving set to play their first full season as teammates, the Nets are favored to win next year’s championship.

The Nets and Lakers could be on a collision course to meet in the 2022 NBA Finals.

The Lakers are set to open the preseason on Oct. 3 with a game against the Nets at Staples Center. Los Angeles will play two exhibition games apiece against the Warriors and Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers will end their six-game preseason against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 14.

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a picture with his jersey during a press conference at Staples Center on August 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images | Katelyn Mulcahy
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