Lakers News: Insider Still Believes This Year's First Scheduled Battle Of LA Still Matters

Can the Lakers finally take down the Clippers?
Lakers News: Insider Still Believes This Year's First Scheduled Battle Of LA Still Matters
Lakers News: Insider Still Believes This Year's First Scheduled Battle Of LA Still Matters /
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The new NBA schedule is out, meaning that Lakers basketball is just around the corner! Rejoice Laker fans, it’s almost time for the team to battle it out for banner 18.

With the schedule being out, comes a ton of very intriguing matchups. We have waited a long few months to see these, and LA has a ton to pick from.

The Lakers will be on National TV for almost half of their games in 2023, which is normal. And they are pitted against some of the best competition in the association.

One of the lesser-hyped matchups for the Lakers this season will be against the inter-city rival, the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s more of a series for bragging rights rather than a real rivalry. The Lakers have overall success, but the Clippers have beaten the Lakers almost every time they have played lately.

The last time the Lakers took down the Clippers was back in the bubble in 2020. It has been a long time, but LA has a chance to right the wrongs early in the year. The two teams will be matched up on November 1, so the Lakers have a chance to set the tone for the season.

Zach Harper of The Athletic ranked 40 games from the NBA schedule and listed the first LA dual as a game to watch.

"I understand people outside of Los Angeles don’t really care about this matchup. It’s not even a rivalry. It’s just two teams who are supposed to be good, sharing a building for one more season before the Clippers’ new arena opens. The healthy Clippers were supposed to challenge the Lakers for city supremacy, but this potential rivalry hasn’t happened the way we hoped it would. I’ll still buy in and keep my stock in this being fun and meaningful."

Per The Athletic

If the Lakers can take down the Clippers, it would be a weight off their shoulders. It doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it would be nice to finally get a win over them.

It’ll be a good test for the Lakers early in the season, and one that could have some added confidence within it. 

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Matt Levine
MATT LEVINE

Matt earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Louisiana State University in 2021. He was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, covering all Southern California sports in his career.