Porziņģis' Warriors to open new NBA season on the road against the Lakers

The NBA announced its 2026-2027 regular season schedule on Tuesday. Kristaps Porziņģis' Golden State Warriors will play their opener on October 21 on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Season opens in New York

The season itself begins a day earlier, on October 20, when the New York Knicks will receive their championship rings at home and raise the championship banner to the rafters. That same night, the champions will face LeBron James' Philadelphia 76ers. Also on opening night, the Boston Celtics host the Detroit Pistons at home, while last season's finalists, the San Antonio Spurs, face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Warriors included in Christmas Day lineup

The Warriors are also part of one of five games the NBA has scheduled for Christmas Day, a date the league traditionally highlights. This year's slate of Christmas games will be the 79th held since 1947, marking the 19th consecutive year with five games on the day. Golden State will host Nikola Jokić's Denver Nuggets at home on December 25. Other Christmas Day matchups include the Knicks against the Spurs, the Celtics against the Miami Heat, the Lakers against the 76ers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Thunder.

Porziņģis' summer and plans ahead

Porziņģis agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Warriors in late June. He began last season with the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to Golden State. Across 32 games total, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks, and scored 20 and 11 points respectively in the Warriors' two play-in games before the team's season ended following a loss.

The 31-year-old Latvian will not join the Latvian national team for its World Cup qualifying games in August, as priority was given to the Warriors' preseason schedule. Latvia's national team will face Croatia away and Israel at home in the qualification round.