Just because LeBron James is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers now, it doesn’t mean the Los Angeles Lakers are any less popular than before. The Luka Dončić-led Lakers will still be a big draw.
Whether the team that won 53 games and finished fourth in the Western Conference will be better in 2026 than in 2025 remains to be seen. What is known is that the Lakers will be on national TV an awful lot.
NBA World Reacts to Los Angeles Lakers’ Primetime TV Slate
Now that the NBA has finally revealed the full 2026-27 schedule, it’s given analysts a chance to pore over it with a fine-toothed comb. That process continued on Thursday, with the unveiling of how many primetime games the top teams are scheduled to receive.
To the surprise of many, the Lakers are tied for the most primetime games of any NBA team, with 34. Other teams the Lakers are tied with include the defending champion New York Knicks, Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs, and James’ Philadelphia 76ers.
That’s it. That’s the list. Each team has 34 primetime games. The Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled for 30, and the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors will each have 28.
“Lakers have the most nationally televised games this season 🍿,” wrote one account.
Lakers have the most nationally televised games this season 🍿 pic.twitter.com/OcfgYs55CJ
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) August 13, 2026
While some obviously celebrated the decision, the Lakers being placed at the top felt a bit strange to others in the basketball world. Some provided their prompt and strong reactions on social media.
“Lakers still run the league 😭💜💜 No way this team getting 34 national TV games.”
lakers still run the league 😭💜💜 No way this team getting 34 national tv games
— dina (@diinadn) August 13, 2026
Some saw the other teams, like the Knicks and Spurs, ranked right at the top, and said the two teams are “carrying the league.”
“Knicks and Spurs carrying the league.”
Knicks and spurs carrying the league
— MizterJack | Sports (@MizterJack) August 13, 2026
On the other end of the spectrum are teams like the Washington Wizards, who added No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and Anthony Davis to a core that featured Trae Young, Alex Sarr, and Kyshawn George, but still have just six nationally televised games this season.
SI’s Bryson Akins pointed out that last year, when the Dallas Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg and also added Davis, they ended up getting 23 nationally televised games.
“The Washington Wizards only have six nationally televised games. For reference the Mavericks after adding Anthony Davis and getting the first pick had 23. Fumble by the NBA.”
The Washington Wizards only have six nationally televised games. For reference the Mavericks after adding Anthony Davis and getting the first pick had 23. Fumble by the NBA.
— Bryson Akins (@BrysonAkinsNBA) August 13, 2026
Maybe the NBA will indeed regret their decision to give this reshaped Lakers team 34 primetime games, while featuring the No. 1 overall pick just six times. Yet, that’s what in-season schedule changes can help fix later on.
