Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings

All eyes turn to Northern California as the Los Angeles Lakers travel to the Golden 1 Center to face the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET, marking one of the early marquee matchups in the Pacific Division. The Kings enter the night eager to defend their home court against a Lakers team adjusting to key absences but still boasting enough depth to pose a serious threat. The energy in Sacramento is expected to be intense, with both sides looking to make a statement in the early stretch of the new season.

The Kings will be missing two important contributors heading into this matchup. Forward Keegan Murray remains out with a thumb ligament injury suffered during preseason, while rookie Nique Clifford continues to recover from a hamstring strain. Despite those setbacks, Sacramento coach Doug Christie still has his main core intact, with Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox leading the charge. Expect Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan to log extended minutes as the Kings look to maintain offensive balance and spacing without Murray’s shooting.

The Lakers, however, arrive with a more challenging injury list. Luka Dončić, who joined the team in a blockbuster offseason trade, is sidelined for at least another week after suffering a left finger sprain and lower-leg contusion. LeBron James is also unavailable due to ongoing sciatica issues, while Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes, and Adou Thiero remain out with various ailments. With both stars unavailable, coach JJ Redick will turn to Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and DeAndre Ayton as focal points on offense. The Lakers’ bench unit, led by Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince, is expected to see an uptick in usage as the team looks to keep its rotation fresh against a high-paced Kings attack.

From a tactical standpoint, Christie’s Kings are expected to play through Sabonis in the high post, using his passing vision to generate movement and open looks for their perimeter players. The Kings will likely push the tempo early to take advantage of the Lakers’ reduced transition defense. Redick’s Lakers, on the other hand, are expected to slow down the pace, relying on half-court execution and strong ball rotation to find quality shots. With Dončić and James out, Redick has emphasized structure and team defense in practices, focusing on limiting turnovers and staying disciplined against Sacramento’s transition game.

Pre-game coverage around the league has centered on two main narratives: how the Lakers’ depth will respond under pressure, and whether the Kings can take advantage of their opponent’s shorthanded lineup. Commentators have highlighted Christie’s calm leadership and the chemistry developing between Sabonis and DeRozan as a bright spot for Sacramento. Studio analysts have also praised Redick’s adaptability in his first season as head coach, noting how his emphasis on movement and spacing could help offset the absence of star scorers. The consensus among analysts is that this matchup will test both teams’ depth and identity early in the season, setting the tone for what could be a heated Pacific Division rivalry.

Watch and Download Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings – Sunday 26 October, 2025, NBA Full Game and Highlights Replay 2025-2026 – NBA Regular Season.