When will LeBron James and the Lakers face the Cavaliers this season?
The Los Angeles Lakers will start the regular season on Oct. 21 at home against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. They will then face the Houston Rockets and their new superstar, Kevin Durant, on Christmas Day at Crypto.com Arena.
Ever since LeBron James came to the Lakers in 2018, one important game each season has been the one in which they head to Northeast Ohio to play the Cleveland Cavaliers, James' original team. Per Dave McMenamin, L.A. will visit the Cavaliers on Jan. 28, 2026.
James played a total of 11 seasons with the Cavs, spanning two separate stints. With his future with the Lakers in doubt, there have been some rumors that he may force a trade at some point in the upcoming months, and the Cavs are one team people think could be a destination for him.
Cleveland went 64-18 last season but got stunned in the second round of the playoffs by the streaking Indiana Pacers. While some, including ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, may feel Cleveland would give him a better shot at his fifth NBA championship than the Lakers could right now, working out a trade that would satisfy the Lakers, Cavaliers and James would be extremely difficult.
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