The 2025 season will be crucial for the Los Angeles Lakers, who will rely heavily on LeBron James and Luka Doncic as the team’s cornerstone players. The Lakers are expected to compete fiercely for the championship and aim to lift the NBA title, which they haven’t won since 2020. The team is already well aware of its schedule for the upcoming season.
The team is also set to pay tribute to one of the most important coaches in Lakers history, a man whose dedication helped cement the franchise at the top of the league. Over his 18-year tenure, he led the Lakers to five NBA titles and became a symbol of leadership and excellence for the organization.
A tribute to last through the ages
The man who defined an era for the Los Angeles Lakers, Pat Riley, arrived in 1981 and coached the Gold and Purple until 1990. During his tenure, he left an indelible mark on the hearts of Lakers fans, maximizing the potential of legendary players and, of course, securing multiple NBA titles for the franchise.
It’s no coincidence that he led the legendary “Showtime” Lakers, guiding stars like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and other Hall of Famers to four NBA championships in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
Riley is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished coaches in NBA history. He made his mark with the Lakers, winning four titles, and later captured another championship with the Miami Heat by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. He is the only coach to have won the Coach of the Year award three times with different teams and has been a proud member of the NBA Hall of Fame since 2008.
The Lakers announced that Riley will be honored with a statue in Star Plaza this February, alongside legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant. The tribute was confirmed via a video on the team’s YouTube and social media. Former players and franchise executives appear in the video congratulating Riley.
The schedule of the Los Angeles Lakers for 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers are clearly aiming for a new championship, led by stars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic. However, achieving this goal has proven challenging in recent years. Fans are hoping this season will finally deliver.
For the upcoming season, the Lakers already have their schedule, which will help them prepare and dream of another championship ring. The Gold and Purple will kick off their campaign against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Another key matchup will be on Christmas Day, when they face Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
Other notable games include the October 24 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, November 28 against the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles showdown with the Clippers on February 20, and the April 2 clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The most emotional game will take place on February 22, when the Lakers face the Boston Celtics, a special day honoring Pat Riley, a coach who defined an era for the Gold and Purple, and will be the first coach to join the legends in the Star Plaza.
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