Lakers to open eight-game road trip with Nuggets, Clippers, Mavericks during NBA Rivalry Week
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The NBA on Thursday released its 2025-26 Rivalry Week slate, confirming that the Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks in three nationally televised games from Jan. 20-24.
All three contests launch the Lakers’ longest road swing of the season, an eight-game journey that runs through Feb. 3.
Rivalry Week schedule for the Lakers
Jan. 20: at Denver Nuggets – first meeting of the season between the teams that clashed in the 2023 and 2024 playoffs, both won by Denver.
Jan. 22: at Los Angeles Clippers – the latest chapter in the intracity matchup that has intensified over the past five years.
Jan. 24: at Dallas Mavericks – the first face-off since last season’s trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers.
The NBA created Rivalry Week to spotlight historic and emerging feuds across five days. Other leaguewide pairings include an NBA Finals rematch between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, a Texas clash featuring the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, and a postseason rematch pitting the Golden State Warriors against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Pat Riley statue unveiling set for Feb. 22
The Lakers will honor Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 22, when they host the Boston Celtics. Boston was not scheduled for Rivalry Week after star forward Jayson Tatum was ruled out for the season.
Source: Lakers Nation
