A rejuvenated Golden State Warriors side, riding two consecutive wins, host Los Angeles Lakers, one of the form teams in the NBA, with a Luka Doncic determined to be one of the favourites in this season’s MVP race.
Warriors vs Lakers date and tip-off time
Date: 30 October 2026, in the early hours of the 31st according to European time zones.
Time: These are the Warriors vs Lakers start times by time zone.
| United Kingdom | 02:00 |
| Dominican Republic, USA (Boston, New York and Miami), Puerto Rico and Venezuela | 22:00 |
| Mexico (central), USA (Texas and Chicago), El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua | 21:00 |
| Mexico (Pacific) and USA (Los Angeles) | 19:00 |
| Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay | 23:00 |
| Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama | 22:00 |
Venue: Chase Center (San Francisco, California)
Warriors vs Lakers starting fives
The San Francisco side remain without Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Moses Moody, while Gui Santos is listed as a game time decision. For the gold and purple, Ziaire Williams is doubtful.
| WARRIORS | LAKERS |
| Stephen Curry | Luka Doncic |
| Brandin Podziemski | Austin Reaves |
| Gui Santos | Matisse Thybulle |
| Draymond Green | Ziaire Williams |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | Walker Kessler |
Warriors vs Lakers: best bet
It is hard to call this game either way beforehand. We think the Lakers are the better side, but the Warriors have looked very good in recent games. We are backing a narrow home win.
Warriors latest news: absences and form
The clouds are lifting over San Francisco. After a very tough start, Steve Kerr’s players have bounced back with wins over Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberowlves, both away from home, giving them a boost in morale and confidence in the work they are doing.
Stephen Curry is coming off a 44-point night, but beyond that, the emergence of Yaxel Lendeborg as a key cog in the machine stands out. The rookie, whom Kerr himself singled out during training camp as a very well-prepared player, is averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4 assists…
Lendeborg’s emergence makes it hurt a little less to have Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined through injury, as well as Kristaps Porzingis (for whom an exit is being sought) because of his now-famous viral illness.
Player to watch: Stephen Curry
He began the season somewhat frustrated and with a face like thunder, but he has managed to get back on track alongside his team-mates to make it clear that his exceptional ability remains undiminished. He dropped 44 points on the Wolves, going 16 of 16 from the free-throw line, and is undoubtedly the big threat to the Angelenos.
Lakers latest news: absences and form
The ugly defeat to the Blazers is the only blemish on an almost flawless start to the 2026-27 NBA season. Luka Doncic is sharper than ever and they have already moved into the upper reaches of the Western Conference.
The best thing about these early steps is that they seem very clear about what they want and how they want to achieve it. That is nothing new, as it is exactly what they pointed to in the summer market. They are also the league’s best attack, alongside the Houston Rockets, with 122.5 points per 100 possessions.
And the absences? They will field their best team, with the only doubt being Ziaire Williams, who has started all four games he has played.
Player to watch: Luka Doncic
We keep saying it. It simply cannot be anyone else. For talent, leadership and spectacle, he is one of those players who is always a joy to watch in action. He is averaging a crazy 36 points and is heading for a season that could be historic in every sense.
Warriors vs Lakers: head-to-head record
The sides have now met 447 times in the regular season, and the Lakers’ advantage is clear: 269 wins for the gold and purple against 178 for today’s hosts. And in the most recent meetings? Once again Los Angeles dominate, 7-3 in the last ten head-to-heads.
Warriors vs Lakers predictions
Over 30.5 points for Luka Doncic. Averaging 36, you could almost say we are taking little risk. The feeling is that he can string together nights of real brilliance.
Golden State Warriors handicap -4.5. It will not be easy, as the Lakers are in great form, but we expect Curry and his teammates to come out on top by a narrow margin.
Over 228.5 total points. The gold and purple are the best attack at this start to the NBA season and we are backing a high-scoring game.
Where to watch Warriors vs Lakers
The game between Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers will be available in the UK via an NBA League Pass subscription.
