The Los Angeles Lakers remain one of the NBA’s biggest attractions, but LeBron James’ departure appears to have affected their place in the league’s national spotlight.
James spent eight seasons in Los Angeles, adding even more attention to a franchise that was already one of the most famous in professional sports.
Having one of the NBA’s biggest stars on the Lakers made them a regular part of the league’s most important nationally televised games.
Now that James has joined the Philadelphia 76ers, the 2026-27 NBA schedule provides an early sign of how things have changed.
For the first time in eight seasons, the Lakers will not play on NBA Opening Night.
The last time they were absent from the event was in 2019, James’ first season with Los Angeles.
The Lakers are still a major draw, especially with Luka Doncic leading the team.
They will begin their season against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on October 21 at Crypto.com Arena, a matchup that should attract plenty of attention.
Los Angeles will also host James and the 76ers on Christmas Day, giving the former Lakers star a high-profile game against his old team.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia will face the defending NBA champion New York Knicks on Opening Night.
The schedule suggests that while the Lakers remain one of the league’s most popular teams, some of the national attention they received during the James era has followed him to Philadelphia.
Lakers’ NBA schedule snub reveals harsh reality about LeBron James’ exit https://t.co/crMAHofaSC pic.twitter.com/js2niLXnB0
— New York Post (@nypost) August 11, 2026
