The Lakers vs Kings matchup features the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings of the NBA’s Western Conference. Their next meeting is a preseason game on October 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. PT at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The teams also have four scheduled regular-season meetings during the 2026-27 season.
Key Takeaways
- Lakers vs Kings is an NBA Western Conference matchup between Los Angeles and Sacramento.
- The teams meet in the 2026 preseason on October 5 at Golden 1 Center.
- Los Angeles went 53-29 in 2025-26, while Sacramento finished 22-60.
- The Lakers won three of four regular-season meetings against the Kings in 2025-26.
- The 2026-27 regular-season series includes four games, beginning November 4.
Lakers vs Kings: October 5, 2026 Game Details
If you’re searching for Lakers vs Kings today, the most important detail is that the teams are scheduled to meet in the preseason on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time, or 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The NBA lists Los Angeles as the visiting team and Sacramento as the home team.
| Game Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings |
| Date | October 5, 2026 |
| Game type | Preseason |
| Tipoff | 7:00 p.m. PT |
| Eastern Time | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Golden 1 Center |
| Location | Sacramento, California |
| Lakers | Away |
| Kings | Home |
Because this is a preseason game, the result does not count toward either team’s regular-season record. Preseason games are primarily an opportunity to evaluate rotations, players and team combinations before the NBA regular season begins.
Is This a Regular Season Game?
No. The October 5 Lakers vs Kings matchup is a 2026 preseason game. The regular-season meetings come later.
The NBA schedule currently lists four regular-season Lakers-Kings games for the 2026-27 season. They are scheduled for November 4, November 20, January 19 and January 22.
That distinction matters when searching for the “Lakers vs Kings score” or “Lakers vs Kings record.” A preseason result should not be treated as part of the teams’ regular-season standings.
Lakers vs Kings Recent Results
The Lakers had the better overall record in the 2025-26 season series, winning three of four meetings.
Here are the four most recent regular-season matchups:
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2026 | Lakers 128, Kings 104 |
| January 12, 2026 | Kings 124, Lakers 112 |
| December 28, 2025 | Lakers 125, Kings 101 |
| October 26, 2025 | Lakers 127, Kings 120 |
The Lakers won the final meeting of the 2025-26 regular season by 24 points, while Sacramento’s lone victory came at Golden 1 Center on January 12.
The four-game series therefore showed a clear advantage for Los Angeles, although Sacramento did prove it could beat the Lakers on its home floor.
Lakers vs Kings Head-to-Head Record
The Lakers have historically held a substantial advantage over the Kings.
Through the 2025-26 season, Sports-Reference’s head-to-head data lists the Lakers at 288-169 against Sacramento in regular-season meetings, with Los Angeles also holding a 25-11 playoff advantage.
That gives the Lakers a 313-180 advantage across regular-season and playoff meetings in that database’s franchise matchup record.
The history includes more than the modern Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. The franchises previously played under names including the Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals and other earlier versions of the Kings franchise.
Regular-Season History
The Lakers’ regular-season advantage is particularly strong. Their 288-169 record against the Kings represents a winning percentage of roughly 63%.
However, historical success does not determine an individual game. Recent form, injuries, rotations and the importance of the game can have a much greater effect on a particular matchup.
Playoff History
The Lakers also have the edge in postseason meetings, leading 25-11 according to Sports-Reference’s head-to-head data.
The rivalry has included several memorable playoff series, including their meetings in the 2000 Western Conference first round.
Lakers vs Kings: 2025-26 Season Comparison
The two teams entered the 2026 offseason from very different positions.
Lakers
Los Angeles finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 53-29 record, good for fourth place in the Western Conference. The Lakers averaged 116.3 points per game and allowed 114.6 points per game, according to NBA team statistics.
Their season profile showed a productive offense, with Los Angeles shooting 50.2% from the field and averaging 25.9 assists per game.
That record gave the Lakers a significant advantage over Sacramento when comparing their most recent completed regular seasons.
Kings
Sacramento finished 2025-26 at 22-60, 14th in the Western Conference. The Kings averaged 111.0 points per game while allowing 121.0 points per game.
Their 2025-26 offensive rating was 111.4, while their defensive rating was 121.5, resulting in a -10.0 net rating.
That makes the Lakers-Kings matchup especially interesting because the teams entered the new season from very different positions.
What Makes the Lakers vs Kings Matchup Interesting?
The biggest attraction is the contrast between two Western Conference franchises with very different recent results.
Los Angeles entered the 2026-27 campaign after a 53-win season, while Sacramento was coming off a 22-win campaign.
The recent series also suggests that the Lakers have generally controlled the matchup. They won three straight meetings against Sacramento before the Kings ended that run in January 2026, then Los Angeles responded with a 128-104 victory in March.
For preseason basketball, however, the focus is different. Coaches can use the game to test combinations and give opportunities to players competing for larger roles. As a result, preseason performance should not automatically be interpreted as a prediction of the regular-season standings.
Lakers vs Kings 2026-27 Schedule
The October 5 preseason matchup is followed by four scheduled regular-season meetings:
| Date | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 5, 2026 | Lakers at Kings | Golden 1 Center |
| November 4, 2026 | Lakers at Kings | Golden 1 Center |
| November 20, 2026 | Kings at Lakers | Crypto.com Arena |
| January 19, 2027 | Lakers at Kings | Golden 1 Center |
| January 22, 2027 | Kings at Lakers | Crypto.com Arena |
The NBA’s schedule confirms the October preseason game and the November and January regular-season meetings.
For fans following the series, the most important point is that October 5 is preseason, while the November 4 matchup is the first scheduled regular-season meeting between the teams.
Who Has the Edge?
Based strictly on the most recent completed season, the Lakers have the stronger statistical case.
Los Angeles finished 53-29 in 2025-26 and won three of four games against Sacramento. The Kings finished 22-60 and had one of the NBA’s weaker defensive profiles that season.
Still, preseason games require caution. Rotations may change, playing time can be limited, and coaches often prioritize evaluation over winning.
For that reason, the October 5 game is best viewed as an early look at the teams rather than a definitive test of which team will have the better 2026-27 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Lakers vs Kings game?
The Lakers and Kings are scheduled to play on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. It is a preseason matchup.
Who won the last Lakers vs Kings game?
The Lakers won the most recent regular-season meeting, defeating the Kings 128-104 on March 1, 2026 in Los Angeles.
What is the Lakers vs Kings head-to-head record?
Through the 2025-26 season, the Lakers held a 288-169 regular-season record against the Kings and a 25-11 playoff record, according to Sports-Reference’s head-to-head data.
How many times will the Lakers and Kings play in 2026-27?
The teams are scheduled for four regular-season meetings in 2026-27, plus the October 5 preseason matchup. The regular-season games are scheduled for November 4, November 20, January 19 and January 22.
Is Lakers vs Kings on October 5 a regular-season game?
No. The October 5 matchup is a preseason game at Golden 1 Center. The first scheduled regular-season Lakers-Kings meeting is November 4 in Sacramento.
Conclusion
The Lakers vs Kings matchup has a long NBA history, but the October 5, 2026 meeting has a more immediate purpose: it is a preseason test before the 2026-27 regular season. Los Angeles enters the matchup with the stronger recent record and won three of four meetings against Sacramento in 2025-26.
The bigger picture will come when the teams begin their regular-season series in November. With four regular-season meetings scheduled, Lakers and Kings fans will have several opportunities to see how the rivalry develops during the new NBA season.
I am Laura Wordsmith, a language enthusiast who loves exploring English vocabulary, synonyms, and word meanings. I write clear and helpful guides to make English easier for students, writers, and curious learners around the world.
