The NBA season has officially tipped off, and tonight’s double-header features a California classic. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to watch Warriors vs. Lakers, including live streaming options.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors will go head-to-head in LA tonight, helping kick off the 2025-2026 NBA season. The Lakers, helmed by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, lead the head-to-head record with the Warriors. The team nearly swept the series last season, but the Warriors, led by Steph Curry, won the final match-up last April. The teams typically play each other four times per season, and the all-California showdown has become a marquee event.
Tonight’s game won’t be on TNT. Instead, NBC and Peacock are getting in on the NBA action. We’ll break down everything you need to know below. You can also read about the rest of the broadcast and streaming shakeups this season in our comprehensive how to watch NBA games viewing guide.
How to watch Warriors vs. Lakers: quick links
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US: NBC
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Access subscriptions from anywhere:
- When: Tuesday, October 21 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
How to watch Warriors vs. Lakers in the US
The Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers game will air on NBC. It’s scheduled to tip off at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, immediately following the Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game.
In the US, the cheapest way to live stream the game without a free trial is via Peacock. Peacock plans start at $11 a month and offer a variety of live sports events. A Peacock Premium Plus subscription, which costs $17 a month, unlocks ad-free on-demand streaming and full NBC live streams (not just some sports). There’s also a brand-new option that will let you bundle Peacock with Apple TV.
Peacock Premium (Monthly Plan)
Peacock is a convenient streaming source for hit NBC TV shows, Universal movies, and select sports like Sunday Night Football. The service also carries its own slate of original programming.
If you’d prefer to watch the game through a live TV package that includes other channels, DirecTV or Fubo will be able to help. DirecTV MySports carries NBC and 20+ other popular sports channels (just make sure to double-check what’s available in your area). It also unlocks access to ESPN Unlimited. Subscriptions cost $70 a month, but you can get $10 a month off your first two months after a five-day free trial for new customers.
DirecTV MySports
DirecTV’s MySports pack carries popular sports channels, from mainstays like ESPN to niche offerings like the ACC Network.
Fubo also carries NBC and over 200 other channels in its Pro plan. Like DirecTV, it also unlocks access to ESPN Unlimited. Subscriptions cost $85 a month, but new users can take $30 off their first month after a five-day free trial. NBC isn’t available in its cheaper Sports + News package.
Fubo Pro
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it’ll cost you extra.
How to watch Warriors vs. Lakers from anywhere
NBA fans traveling away from home can keep up with their usual watch options with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are handy tech tools built for boosting cybersecurity and privacy. They’re also quick ways to alter your device’s virtual location, so you can access your usual websites and apps from anywhere. The services we’ve recommended require US methods of payment, so this option will work best for Americans who are simply traveling abroad at the moment.
NordVPN is a beginner-friendly option with several cybersecurity perks. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it’s not what you’re looking for. You can learn more in our NordVPN review.
NordVPN Plan
NordVPN is one of the top VPN services in the business. It offers excellent value with a strong selection of features and a low monthly price. A wide selection of international servers, high-end security, fast connections, and audited privacy protection have made the brand a household name in the world of VPNs.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Lillian Brown
Senior Associate Editor of Streaming
Lillian Brown is the Senior Associate Editor of Streaming at Business Insider. A lifelong entertainment and media buff, she specializes in helping you find how to watch your favorite shows, movies, and sporting events.ExperienceLillian has been writing about entertainment, sports, TV, and film for over six years, starting her career in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe. She went on to write entertainment features, roundups, and conduct celebrity interviews for publications like Vulture, TV Guide, Esquire, Time, and The Daily Beast before joining Business Insider as a streaming specialist on the Reviews team.In her current role, she writes about everything from finding the right VPN for watching overseas soccer games to choosing between the endless number of streaming services out there. When she’s not writing, she is editing stories from freelancers or fellow Reviews team members. Lillian is also an expert deal hunter. She loves the thrill of sharing an amazing discount with readers, whether it be on her favorite streaming services or on products she knows our team loves and recommends. She plays an active role in writing about sales and deals for the Reviews team.Why you can trust LillianWhether she’s testing streaming platform interfaces or actively comparing channel offerings between services, Lillian always has her finger on the pulse of what’s new in entertainment. She has tested nearly every streaming service and is an expert when it comes to VPNs. She is the first person to know when a streaming service has changed its price, and whether or not it’s still worth paying for. As a sports fan, she also knows exactly where the next big playoff game is streaming, what time it starts, and where they’re playing. Expertise
- Streaming services
- How to watch your favorite films, TV, sports
- VPN services for legal streaming
- Deals
Outside of workMost of the time, you can find Lillian watching a horror movie, WNBA game, or long-distance running. She is located in Boston.
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