The Los Angeles Lakers face the Denver Nuggets on Friday, October 16, 2026, in the final game for both teams in the 2026-27 NBA Preseason. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local time at the arena) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. In the United States, the matchup will be broadcast on cable television via ESPN and Spectrum SportsNet, with live streaming available on Spectrum SportsNet+, ESPN Unlimited, and Fubo.
Both Western Conference franchises enter the preseason finale with an identical record of two wins and two losses (2-2) in their 2026 exhibition schedule. In their most recent preseason appearance on Tuesday (13), the Los Angeles Lakers lost 101-89 to the Golden State Warriors. In the last official regular-season meeting between the two opponents, held on March 14, 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125.
Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets live
Basketball fans in the United States can watch the preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets across five television and digital platforms:
- ESPN (cable TV)
- Spectrum SportsNet (cable TV)
- Spectrum SportsNet+ (streaming)
- ESPN Unlimited (streaming)
- Fubo (streaming)
Start time and venue for Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
Check the confirmed schedule and location details for the exhibition game:
- Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
- Start time: 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local time in Los Angeles)
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena, in Los Angeles, California
- Competition: NBA (North American basketball league) — Preseason
How the Los Angeles Lakers arrive
Head coach JJ Redick is in his third season leading the Los Angeles Lakers, having taken over the position in June 2024. For the 2026-27 campaign, the franchise restructured its roster around Luka Dončić following the departure of LeBron James during the offseason. Redick has established Dončić, guard Austin Reaves, and newly acquired center Walker Kessler as three confirmed starters, while forwards Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams are the leading candidates to fill the remaining two spots in the starting five.
During the preseason, Luka Dončić leads the Los Angeles Lakers offense with an average of 22.0 points per game, while Austin Reaves averages 7.5 assists per game and Ziaire Williams records 13.0 points per outing. Walker Kessler, who made his preseason debut on Wednesday (14) against the Golden State Warriors after missing the first three exhibition contests with a pinky finger injury, contributes 9.0 rebounds and 1.0 block per game.
On the injury report during the week of the game, guard Collin Sexton has been dealing with a lower leg issue and is listed as day-to-day. Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr are listed as game-time decisions due to undisclosed injuries. Dončić was rested in the previous game against the Warriors, and the final starting lineup for Friday (16) depends on last-minute coaching decisions regarding veteran rest.
“We’ve certainly seen glimpses of the things we like. It’s hard because we’ve just been a little disjointed with the guys being banged up, so there’s nothing definitive yet,” said JJ Redick regarding the definition of the starting lineup.
How the Denver Nuggets arrive
The Denver Nuggets are coached by David Adelman in the 2026-27 season. The team’s established starting lineup consists of point guard Jamal Murray, shooting guard Christian Braun, small forward Cameron Johnson, power forward Aaron Gordon, and center Nikola Jokić. Veteran forward DeMar DeRozan, signed by the franchise for the 2026-27 campaign, will play off the bench in the second unit for the first time in his career, as confirmed by Adelman.
In the exhibition games so far, power forward Aaron Gordon leads the Denver Nuggets with averages of 15.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Shooting guard Julian Strawther averages 13.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, while center Nikola Jokić distributes 7.3 assists per game in controlled minutes.
Regarding roster availability, Julian Strawther is on the injury report with a knee issue, and Micah Peavy has an ankle injury, making him a game-time decision. Spencer Jones has a hamstring (posterior thigh muscle) injury and is expected to remain out until at least Friday, October 23. DeMar DeRozan was rested in the previous matchup against the LA Clippers, and the definitive starting five for the preseason finale will be determined prior to tip-off.
“I’ll be honest, right now, I’m trying to figure out our secondary rotation. … The starters will be fine. I do not want to play a starter with the second unit if I don’t have to to start the season. That’s the goal right now,” stated Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman about the team’s rotation.
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Officiating for Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
The officiating crew for the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets had not been disclosed by the close of this report, as the NBA publishes official referee assignments (Crew Chief, Referee, and Umpire) on the morning of each game day.
Recent head-to-head history and next game for the Los Angeles Lakers
In the 2025-26 regular season, the two franchises met three times in 2026. Prior to the Los Angeles Lakers’ 127-125 victory on March 14, 2026, the Denver Nuggets won 120-113 on March 5, 2026, and the Lakers won 115-107 on the road on January 20, 2026. In that campaign, Denver finished in 3rd place in the Western Conference with 54 wins and 28 losses, being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2. Los Angeles finished 4th in the West with 53 wins and 29 losses, defeating the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the first round before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals.
Following the conclusion of the preseason, the Los Angeles Lakers will make their debut in the 2026-27 NBA regular season at home against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, October 21.