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The Lakers will play an abbreviated schedule in February thanks to having eight days off for the All-Star Break from the 16th to the 23rd.
While some, like D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr., might have the opportunity to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge or Slam Dunk Contest, most of the purple and gold will be able to fit some rest into the demanding NBA schedule.
This is an especially good time for a breather considering that it comes soon after the Lakers’ annual Grammy road trip that will take them to five Eastern Conference cities in nine days. After the Grammys themselves are held at Staples Center on Feb. 12, L.A. will play a home/road back-to-back before All-Star Weekend gets going in whichever city the NBA decides to award it to.
February
Games: 10
Home: 3
Away: 7
Playoff Opponents: 5
National TV Games: 2
Home Opponents: Sacramento, San Antonio, Charlotte
Road Destinations: Washington, Boston, New York, Detroit, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Oklahoma City
Key Matchups
Feb. 3 at Boston (5 p.m. PT; Time Warner Cable SportsNet/ESPN)
TD Garden might just be the most Lakers-unfriendly place in the world, as the Celtics faithful will certainly let the purple and gold know that they aren’t welcome in their house. This will also be the first taste of the rivalry for Ingram.
Feb. 6 at New York (4 p.m. PT; TNT)
There is nothing in the NBA that really compares to playing at Madison Square Garden. The Lakers only visit “The World’s Most Famous Arena” once per year, making this trip to see Phil Jackson and co. something to savor.
Feb. 26 vs. San Antonio (12:30 p.m. PT; Time Warner Cable SportsNet)
With both teams having said goodbye to a pair of retiring legends — Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan — the Lakers and Spurs are opening new chapters in their franchises’ history. While L.A. has turned to Ingram and his fellow young guns for their longterm plan, San Antonio added a familiar face in Pau Gasol, who helped the Lakers to back-to-back titles alongside Bryant in 2009 and 2010.