3 storylines the Lakers face entering season opener against the Warriors

The Luka Dončić era begins at Crypto.com Arena tonight.

The Slovenian superstar leads a new-look Los Angeles Lakers squad in their season opener against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

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It’s been a whirlwind offseason in L.A. marked on the basketball side by LeBron James’ high profile departure and the ensuing roster overhaul that saw the Lakers add nine new faces, headlined by a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire Walker Kessler to be their center of the future. Off the court, a $12.5 billion sale to Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger – and the Buss family legal drama followed – dominated headlines with owner Mark Walter’s ongoing federal investigation serving as the backdrop.

All of that will continue to develop as the season progresses. But none of it will matter when the ball goes up tonight.

Here are the three biggest storylines the Lakers face entering 2026-27:

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

(Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

(Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

(Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

(David Berding, Getty Images)

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Publish date : 2026-10-21 12:48:00

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