NBA Preseason: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings

The Lakers open their preseason schedule on October 8 against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM. It's the first chance to see the roster together in game action before the regular season begins, and with the Kings becoming an annual Western Conference contender, there's enough history between these clubs to make even October basketball worth watching.

The Matchup

The Lakers and Kings share a regional rivalry that doesn't always get the attention it deserves. Sacramento sits about 380 miles north on the I-5, close enough that Kings fans make the drive to LA without much fuss. The preseason cuts both ways: Lakers fans get a first look at new additions and returning players finding their footing, while Kings fans traveling down will be gauging their own squad's form. Don't expect much from the box score; watch for rotations, new lineups, and who's running the second unit.

Preseason results don't carry over. The games exist to build conditioning, test combinations, and let young players make a case for a roster spot. That subtext makes the action more interesting than the stakes might suggest.

Crypto.com Arena

The arena sits at 1111 S Figueroa St. in South Park, a few blocks from the convention center and the 110 freeway. It opened in 1999 as Staples Center and has held more championship banners than any arena in LA history, across Lakers, Clippers, and Kings hockey teams alike. The name changed in 2021 but the building's bones are the same. It holds just over 19,000 for basketball.

Sightlines are good from most sections. The lower bowl puts you close to the action; the upper sections give a fuller view of play-calling and spacing. For a preseason game, you'll find the atmosphere relaxed but genuinely warm.

Tickets

Tickets start at $33. Check the arena's official box office or a major ticket marketplace for current listings and seat maps.

Getting There

Crypto.com Arena is one of the most transit-accessible venues in Los Angeles. The Metro Blue Line (A Line) and Expo Line (E Line) both stop at Pico Station, which is a short walk from the arena's main entrance. The Metro Red and Purple Lines connect at 7th St/Metro Center, also walkable. If you're coming from the Valley, the Metro B Line gets you to 7th/Metro Center on one transfer.

Driving means navigating downtown traffic on a weeknight. Paid parking lots are nearby, but rideshare drop-off on Figueroa is genuinely convenient. Plan your route before you leave home and build in 20 minutes.

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