What happened: The Los Angeles Lakers' group for the Emirates NBA Cup is now locked in as the league finalizes group play for the coming season. The Lakers know which teams they will face in the tournament's opening pool stage ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Why it matters: The NBA Cup gives Los Angeles an early competitive target and a route to the knockout rounds before the regular-season grind takes hold. Group-stage results carry weight toward advancing, so the opening slate is more than a warm-up for a team with title expectations.

What to watch: Watch for the Lakers' specific opponents, Cup Night dates, and the full group schedule as the league rolls out the 2026-27 calendar.