What channel is Lakers vs. Clippers on tonight? Time, TV schedule for NBA Opening Night game

The NBA’s defending champs will face perhaps their biggest challenger to kick off the 2020-21 season.

LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the new-look Lakers begin their quest for back-to-back titles on Opening Night against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers. After exiting the NBA “bubble” with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the Lakers rebuilt their roster and signed both James and Davis to new deals, putting them in position to be a contender for years to come. They unsurprisingly enter the season as the championship favorites.

However, the Clippers remain a threat. The visual of the Clippers walking off the floor after blowing 3-1 series lead against the Nuggets in the 2020 NBA playoffs may linger for many fans, but coach Tyronn Lue, who replaced Doc Rivers this past offseason, knows he has a talented group capable of making a deep postseason run. 

Which team will win the latest battle for LA? Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Clippers vs. Lakers on the NBA’s Opening Night.

MORE: Sporting News’ predictions for 2020-21 NBA season

What channel is Lakers vs. Clippers on?

Clippers vs. Lakers can be watched on TNT for those with traditional cable or streamed via Watch TNT. The game will tip off following the conclusion of Warriors vs. Nets.

What time does Lakers vs. Clippers start?

Clippers vs. Lakers is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 22. The game will be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Lakers announced in November that games at Staples Center will be held without fans “until further notice.”

Clippers schedule 2020-21

(All times Eastern)

Date Game Time National TV Dec. 22 at Lakers 10 p.m. TNT Dec. 25 at Nuggets 10:30 p.m. ESPN Dec. 27 vs. Mavericks 3:30 p.m. NBA TV Dec. 29 vs. Timberwolves 10 p.m. — Dec. 30 vs. Trail Blazers 10 p.m. NBA TV Jan. 1 at Jazz 9 p.m. — Jan. 3 at Suns 8 p.m. — Jan. 5 vs. Spurs 10 p.m. — Jan. 6 at Warriors 10 p.m. ESPN Jan. 8 at Warriors 10 p.m. ESPN Lakers schedule 2020-21

(All times Eastern)

Date Game Time National TV Dec. 22 vs. Clippers 10 p.m. TNT Dec. 25 vs. Mavericks 8 p.m. ABC/ESPN Dec. 27 vs. Timberwolves 10 p.m. NBA TV Dec. 28 vs. Trail Blazers 10 p.m. NBA TV Dec. 30 at Spurs 8:30 p.m. — Jan. 1 at Spurs 8 p.m. NBA TV Jan. 3 at Grizzlies 6 p.m. — Jan. 5 at Grizzlies 8 p.m. NBA TV Jan. 7 vs. Spurs 10 p.m. — Jan. 8 vs. Bulls 10 p.m. — NBA schedule for 2020-21

Each team will play a 72-game schedule. Complete game and broadcast schedules for the first half of the season were revealed on Dec. 4. The league will announce the second half of the schedule separately in order to maintain flexibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s a tentative breakdown of 2020-21 NBA calendar: