'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to kick off their 2022-2023 season as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2021-2022. The Lakers have not had much success since winning the NBA championship in their first year with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster. They would lose in the first round of the 2020-2021 postseason following Davis' injury, before missing the playoffs altogether last season as both stars missed time. Injuries have become a problem for the Lakers' stars, however, the team has performed when both players are available.
Key dates for 2022-2023
October 18: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
The Lakers' season will kick off with a road game against the defending champions. The Lakers will look to begin their season with a victory after watching the Warriors' players receive their 2021-2022 championship rings. Containing the Warriors will be extremely difficult, but it will serve as a great test for the Lakers to start the season.
October 20: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Lakers will play their first home game against the crosstown Clippers, who many expect to be in title contention in 2022-2023. Both teams have dealt with injuries to their stars over the past two seasons, however, with all of the stars available, the Lakers' home debut should be a compelling matchup.
November 13: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Much of the Lakers offseason was spent trying to figure out how to get Kyrie Irving to Los Angeles. With Irving remaining the Lakers' top target in 2023 free agency, the Lakers will get their first of two chances to look at the star point guard. Irving missed both matchups against the Lakers in 2021-2022.
December 25: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
NBA games on Christmas Day are always compelling, and the Lakers have been a fixture on the holiday. The Lakers have not missed a Christmas Day since the 1998-1999 season, where a lockout canceled all games prior to February. The Lakers will look to extend their NBA record 24 Christmas Day victories.
February 9: Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks
The NBA trade deadline will take place seven hours before their matchup against the 2020-2021 NBA champions. Will there be any big moves made to bring new talent to the team? Lakers head coach Darvin Ham spent nine years as an assistant coach on Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer's staff, including four seasons in Milwaukee.
March 7: Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies
A late-season game against the Grizzlies would not normally be an important date, however, this game will be one of the most special of the year. The Lakers will honor future Hall of Famer Pau Gasol by retiring his No.16 jersey. No.16 will be the second jersey the Lakers send to the rafters in 2022-2023, as George Mikan's No.99 will be retired in October.
April 9: Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz
The Lakers will host the Utah Jazz in their regular season finale. The Jazz enter 2022-2023 in the first year of a rebuild. The game, however, is notable as the Lakers could be playing for postseason seeding or a postseason spot altogether. The Lakers will look to finish in the top six to avoid being forced into the play-in tournament.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
