Can Golden State Extend Its Winning Run Against the Lakers? | Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Prediction | October 22, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on October 22 as both teams begin the new NBA regular season. The Lakers are looking to start strongly after a significant offseason reshuffle, while Golden State arrives with encouraging preseason results and four consecutive wins in this matchup.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers finished fourth in the Western Conference last season and advanced past Houston in the first round of the playoffs, winning the series 4–2. Their postseason run ended in the next round, however, as they were swept by Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles reached the Las Vegas Summer League semifinals but lost to Golden State. The main roster had a mixed preseason, recording two victories over Sacramento while suffering three defeats against the Warriors and another loss to Denver.
The departure of LeBron James is a major change for the Lakers, leaving Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with central roles in the team's offense. Los Angeles also added Sandro Mamukelashvili, who featured among the team's notable performers in the final preseason game against Denver. The Lakers will now look to translate their talent into a stronger start to the regular season.
Home-court advantage has not guaranteed success against Golden State recently. Across the last four meetings in Los Angeles, Lakers have won only once.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State finished 10th in the Western Conference last season and reached the play-in tournament. The Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers but then lost to Phoenix, missing the playoffs.
They enjoyed a successful Summer League campaign, winning the Las Vegas tournament after beating Memphis in the final. Their main roster also showed promising form during preseason, winning four of six games. The two defeats came against Portland and the Clippers, while Golden State beat the Lakers twice and also defeated Sacramento and Portland, winning the latter matchup 128–118.
Stephen Curry led the way with 20 points in the final preseason game. Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski added 17 points apiece, while Draymond Green contributed seven points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.
Golden State also made several offseason moves. Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton joined the roster, while the Warriors retained Curry and Green and secured a rookie-scale extension for Podziemski. These changes give the team additional options as it begins the new campaign.
Key Trends
- Lakers have lost 3 of their last 4 head-to-head home games.
- Golden State have won their last 4 meetings with the Lakers.
- The Warriors won 4 of their 6 preseason games.
- Golden State defeated the Lakers twice during preseason.
Prediction
The Lakers begin the season at home, but their new-look roster faces an early test against a Golden State team that has already found success against them. Los Angeles finished higher in the Western Conference last season, yet its preseason results were inconsistent, and the departure of LeBron James creates a significant change in the team's lineup and leadership. Golden State, meanwhile, won four of six preseason games and defeated the Lakers twice during that stretch. The Warriors' four-game winning streak in this matchup adds further weight to their case, although playing on the road gives Los Angeles an opportunity to respond. The Lakers have enough talent to make this a competitive opener, but Golden State's recent head-to-head advantage and stronger preseason record suggest the visitors could keep the game close. A narrow contest appears plausible, with the Warriors having a realistic chance of extending their winning run against Los Angeles. Recommended Bet: Golden State Warriors +6.5 Asian Handicap
