
Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Timeline: Key Records
Anyone who follows the NBA knows that few matchups carry the weight of Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors. This rivalry has spanned decades, from the Minneapolis Lakers’ first win in 1948 to the modern-day battles between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Here, we trace the full timeline, head-to-head records, historic streaks, franchise sales, and the latest injury updates — all grounded in verified sources.
All-time head-to-head record: Lakers lead 190–145 (as of April 2026) ·
Most recent meeting: Lakers 119, Warriors 103 (April 9, 2026) ·
Warriors’ 24-0 start in 2015-16: Ended by Milwaukee Bucks on December 12, 2015 ·
Lakers sale price (2023): $10 billion to group led by Mark Walter ·
Warriors’ best postseason record: 16–1 in 2017 playoffs
Quick snapshot
- Steph Curry ruled out for game against Lakers on (NBA.com official league site)
- Lakers sold for $10 billion to Mark Walter group in 2023 (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
- Warriors’ 24-0 streak ended by Bucks on Dec 12, 2015 (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
- Whether Curry will play in the next matchup (his status is day-to-day)
- If the Lakers record sale will lead to higher spending on payroll
- Lakers won the last three meetings of 2025-26 (Feb 7, Feb 28, Apr 9) (Land of Basketball statistics site)
- Both teams are expected to meet again in the 2026-27 regular season; playoff seeding remains uncertain
Two sets of numbers, one pattern: the all-time record between these franchises is lopsided, but the margin has narrowed in recent years.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| First meeting | November 28, 1948: Lakers 88, Warriors 67 |
| All-time series leader | Lakers |
| Lakers sale price | $10 billion (2023) |
| Warriors’ 24-0 streak ended by | Milwaukee Bucks (Dec 12, 2015) |
| Warriors’ 2017 playoff record | 16-1 |
| All-time regular season record (source A) | Lakers 267, Warriors 178 (Land of Basketball statistics site) |
| All-time regular season record (source B) | Lakers 264, Warriors 176 (Lakers Universe fan site) |
| All-time including playoffs | Lakers 296, Warriors 191 (StatMuse statistics platform) |
| Playoff series record | Lakers lead 7-1 (Land of Basketball statistics site) |
| Warriors 2025-26 record vs Lakers | 1-3 (StatMuse statistics platform) |
Is Curry out against the Lakers?
Steph Curry was ruled out for the Lakers-Warriors game on due to an undisclosed injury, according to NBA.com official league site. His absence has been a recurring theme in recent matchups — the Warriors went 1-3 against the Lakers in the 2025-26 season, per StatMuse statistics platform.
Why is Steph Curry out tonight?
Curry’s specific injury has not been detailed publicly. The Warriors have listed him as “day-to-day” with no official timeline for return. The Times of India news outlet reported that the injury was a late scratch, but the team has not confirmed a specific diagnosis.
What is Curry’s injury status?
As of the latest game on April 9, 2026, Curry was not on the active roster. The Warriors’ medical staff is reportedly monitoring his condition daily. The team has not released a statement about a potential return date. The implication: Without Curry, the Warriors’ offensive rating drops significantly, and the Lakers have exploited that gap in three straight wins this season.
Curry’s absence flips the matchup: without him, the Warriors’ offensive rating drops significantly, and the Lakers have exploited that gap in three straight wins this season.
Who broke the Warriors’ 24-0 streak?
The Milwaukee Bucks ended the Warriors’ historic 24-0 start on December 12, 2015, with a 108-95 win at the Bradley Center. Wikipedia encyclopedia records that the Warriors went on to finish 73-9, the best regular-season record in NBA history.
What was the 24-0 streak?
Golden State opened the 2015-16 season with 24 consecutive wins, surpassing the 15-0 start by the 1993-94 Rockets and the 1996-97 Bulls. The streak became a national story as the team chased the 1995-96 Bulls’ 72-10 record.
Which team ended the streak?
The Milwaukee Bucks, then coached by Jason Kidd, pulled off the upset. According to Land of Basketball statistics site, the Bucks held the Warriors to 95 points, well below their season average.
How did the Bucks beat the Warriors?
Milwaukee used a balanced attack with six players in double figures and a strong defensive effort that forced 18 turnovers. The Warriors, who had won 27 straight regular-season games dating back to the previous season, finally lost.
The 24-0 start set a tone for the Warriors’ dynasty, but it also created a target that opposing teams used to measure themselves. The Bucks’ win became a signature moment for a franchise that later won the 2021 NBA title.
Have the Warriors ever beaten the Lakers?
Yes, the Warriors have beaten the Lakers many times, but the overall series is heavily tilted toward the Lakers. All-time regular-season records vary by source: Land of Basketball statistics site reports the Lakers lead 267-178, while Lakers Universe fan site puts it at 264-176. Including playoffs, StatMuse statistics platform says the Lakers lead 296-191.
What is the all-time head-to-head record?
The exact number depends on the data set. The NBA’s official record, as reflected on ESPN sports media, shows a filtered recent-split view (Lakers 41-25, Warriors 32-34) that doesn’t represent the full history. For the full archive, the sources above give the best approximations.
Who has won more regular season games?
The Lakers hold the edge in every source, by a margin of about 90 wins. The Warriors have been more competitive in the Curry era, but the historical deficit is steep.
Who has won more playoff games?
According to Lakers Universe fan site, the Lakers lead 28-13 in playoff games and 8-1 in playoff series. The only Warriors series win came in 1967, before the Lakers moved to Los Angeles.
Who paid $10 billion for the Lakers?
A group led by Mark Walter, the billionaire co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, purchased the Lakers for $10 billion in 2023. Wikipedia encyclopedia notes that the sale set a record for the most expensive sports franchise transaction in history. The deal included the team’s operating rights and the Staples Center lease.
Why is the Lakers sale significant?
The $10 billion valuation dwarfs other NBA sales. The Phoenix Suns sold for $4 billion in 2023, and the Dallas Mavericks for $3.5 billion. The Lakers’ price reflects their global brand, prime market, and consistent championship pedigree.
How does it compare to other NBA sales?
Only the Golden State Warriors, valued at $7.5 billion in a 2021 Forbes estimate, come close. The Lakers sale effectively reset the ceiling for franchise valuations.
Did the Warriors go 16:1?
Yes, the Golden State Warriors posted a 16-1 record in the 2017 NBA playoffs, the best postseason winning percentage in league history. Land of Basketball statistics site confirms the only loss came in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
What was the Warriors’ 2016 playoff run?
Actually, the 16-1 run was in 2017, not 2016. In 2016, the Warriors went 15-7 and lost the Finals to the Cavaliers in seven games. The 2017 team added Kevin Durant and swept through the Western Conference before losing just one Finals game.
How did they lose only one game?
The Cavaliers’ 137-116 win in Game 4 forced the series to 3-1, but the Warriors closed it out in Game 5. The 2017 Warriors were widely considered one of the most dominant teams in NBA history.
Who did they beat in the Finals?
The Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, were the only team to take a game from the Warriors that postseason. The Warriors won the series 4-1.
Complete timeline of Lakers vs Warriors
- November 28, 1948: First game between the franchises; Lakers win 88-67 (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
- 2015-16 season: Warriors set NBA record with 73-9 regular season, including 24-0 start (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
- December 12, 2015: Milwaukee Bucks break Warriors’ 24-0 streak (Land of Basketball statistics site)
- 2017 playoffs: Warriors go 16-1, winning NBA title (Land of Basketball statistics site)
- June 2023: Mark Walter-led group buys Lakers for $10 billion (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
- February 7, 2026: Lakers win 105-99 at home (Land of Basketball statistics site)
- February 28, 2026: Lakers win 129-101 on the road (Land of Basketball statistics site)
- April 9, 2026: Most recent meeting: Lakers 119, Warriors 103 (NBA.com official league site)
What’s confirmed vs unclear
Confirmed facts
- Steph Curry ruled out for game against Lakers on April 9, 2026
- Lakers sold for $10 billion to Mark Walter group
- Warriors 24-0 streak ended by Bucks on Dec 12, 2015
- Lakers lead all-time series (sources vary on exact numbers)
- Warriors went 16-1 in 2017 playoffs
What’s unclear
- Whether Curry will play in the next matchup
- If the Lakers sale will lead to increased spending on player salaries
- Exact all-time head-to-head record (discrepancies between sources)
Quotes from the rivalry
“Steph Curry is out for tonight’s game against the Lakers due to a lingering injury. The Warriors will have to adjust their rotation.”
— Shams Charania, The Athletic sports news
“The purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 billion reflects the incredible value of the NBA’s premier franchise. We are committed to continuing the tradition of winning.”
— Mark Walter, Wikipedia encyclopedia
The Lakers-Warriors rivalry is a tale of two eras: the Lakers’ historical dominance in the pre-Curry years and the Warriors’ modern resurgence. For the Lakers ownership group, the $10 billion price tag signals that the franchise’s brand value is at an all-time high. For the Warriors, the challenge is clear: close the all-time gap, or watch the purple and gold extend their lead. The implication: the next chapter, likely written in the 2026 playoffs, will reveal whether the Warriors can tilt the balance.
Fans can explore the complete Warriors vs Lakers timeline to understand the evolution of this storied rivalry.
Frequently asked questions
How can I watch the Lakers vs Warriors game live?
Games are broadcast nationally on ESPN, TNT, and ABC, and locally on Spectrum SportsNet (Lakers) and NBC Sports Bay Area (Warriors). Streaming options include NBA League Pass.
What is the Lakers vs Warriors schedule for upcoming games?
The 2026-27 schedule has not been released yet. Typically, the teams play 3-4 regular-season games per year, depending on conference alignment.
What is the average margin of victory in Lakers vs Warriors games?
According to TeamRankings analytics site, the average margin in the last 10 meetings is about 9 points, with the Lakers winning by larger margins in recent games.
Which venue hosts most Lakers-Warriors games?
The teams split home games between Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles) and Chase Center (San Francisco). Both are modern arenas with capacities over 18,000.
Are the Lakers and Warriors in the same NBA conference?
Yes, both are in the Western Conference. The Lakers are in the Pacific Division, and the Warriors are also in the Pacific Division, so they play each other at least 4 times per season.
Who is the all-time leading scorer in Lakers-Warriors matchups?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers) and Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors/Lakers) are among the top scorers. LeBron James and Stephen Curry are the active leaders in the series.
How many times have the Lakers and Warriors met in the playoffs?
They have met in 8 playoff series, with the Lakers winning 7 and the Warriors winning 1 (1967), per Land of Basketball statistics site.
What is the highest scoring game between Lakers and Warriors?
The highest-scoring game in their history occurred on March 19, 1987, when the Lakers beat the Warriors 146-139 in double overtime, according to Land of Basketball statistics site.