Warriors vs Lakers Timeline: History, Record & Recent Games

The Lakers and Warriors have been battling since 1948, but this season introduces two volatile variables: a $10 billion sale and Stephen Curry’s recurring hamstring injury. Here’s the full timeline, the all-time numbers, and what’s at stake now.

All-time regular season: Lakers lead 268-178 ·
Postseason meetings: Lakers lead 28-13 ·
Postseason series: Lakers lead 7-1 ·
Last game: Warriors 119-109 (Oct 21, 2025) ·
Next scheduled game: Apr 10, 2026

The data shows a clear Lakers advantage, but a discrepancy between stat sites: LakersUniverse counts 264 regular‑season wins, while Land of Basketball says 268. The gap is small but worth noting.

Who is favored to win the Warriors vs. Lakers?

What do the odds say?

Entering the April 10, 2026 matchup, sportsbooks favor the Lakers at home. The Lakers hold a 41‑25 record, while the Warriors are 32‑34, according to ESPN’s 2025‑26 team comparison. Point spreads typically hover around 5–7 points.

Key factors in the matchup

• Curry’s hamstring status: he missed Game 5 and his availability for Game 6 is unknown.
• Lakers’ home‑court advantage: they beat the Warriors 119‑103 on April 9, 2026 (ESPN).
• Lakers have won three of four meetings this season: 129‑101 (Feb 28), 105‑99 (Feb 7), and 119‑103 (Apr 9), with the Warriors’ only win 119‑109 on Oct 21 (ESPN).

The implication: unless Curry returns and the Warriors fix their road defense, the Lakers hold the clear edge.

Why is Steph Curry out tonight?

What is the nature of Curry’s hamstring injury?

Curry is dealing with a hamstring issue that forced him to miss Game 5 of the season series – a must‑win game for Golden State. The injury was reported by ESPN as a recurring problem.

When is Curry expected to return?

No official timeline has been announced. The team has listed him as day‑to‑day, but his status for Game 6 remains uncertain. According to ESPN’s injury report, the hamstring has kept him out of back‑to‑back games before.

Who paid $10 billion for the Lakers?

Who is Mark Walter?

Mark Walter is the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The NBA approved his purchase of the Lakers for $10 billion – the largest team sale in history, as reported by Wikipedia. Walter’s group includes other investors, but he remains the face of the deal.

How was the $10 billion sale approved?

The NBA Board of Governors voted to approve the sale in 2025, seeing the valuation as a benchmark for future franchise sales. The approval process was smooth, given Walter’s existing ties to the Los Angeles sports market.

“This sale signals that the Lakers are not just a basketball team – they’re a global entertainment asset,” said sports business analyst Mike Ozanian (Forbes Sports).

The catch: the $10 billion price tag puts pressure on the Lakers to keep winning, or else the return on investment stalls.

What is the all-time head-to-head record between the Warriors and Lakers?

Regular season record

The Lakers lead the regular‑season series 268‑178, according to Land of Basketball. A second source, LakersUniverse, counts 264‑176 over 440 games – the discrepancy comes from inclusion of different seasons. The overall margin stays decisively in L.A.’s favor.

Postseason results

In the playoffs, the Lakers dominate: 28‑13 in games and 7‑1 in series. The Warriors’ only series win came in 1977, when they beat the Lakers 4‑3 in the Western Conference Semifinals (Champs or Chumps).

The pattern: even in the Warriors’ dynasty years, they couldn’t crack the Lakers in a seven‑game series – the 2023 Semifinals (Lakers 4‑2) proved it again.

What are the key moments in the Warriors-Lakers rivalry?

Notable playoff encounters

• 1969 Western Division Semifinals: Lakers 4‑2 over San Francisco Warriors
• 1973 Western Conference Finals: Lakers 4‑1
• 1977 Western Conference Semifinals: Warriors 4‑3 (only Warriors series win)
• 1987 Western Conference Semifinals: Lakers 4‑1
• 1991 Western Conference Semifinals: Lakers 4‑1
• 2023 Western Conference Semifinals: Lakers 4‑2 (LakersUniverse)

Major regular season games

• November 28, 1948: first meeting, Lakers 88‑67 (Wikipedia)
• 1972: Lakers beat Warriors 162‑99 – largest win in series history (Wikipedia)
• 2021 Play‑In: Lakers 1‑0
• October 21, 2025: Warriors 119‑109

The pattern: for 75 years, the Lakers have owned the rivalry. The Warriors’ modern dynasty softened the gap, but playoff dominance remains L.A.’s territory.

How have the Warriors and Lakers performed recently?

2025-2026 season results

Four meetings so far: Lakers won three times – 129‑101 (Feb 28), 105‑99 (Feb 7), 119‑103 (Apr 9). The Warriors’ lone win came on October 21, 119‑109. All results from ESPN’s team comparison page.

Player performances

LeBron James has averaged 28 points in the 2025‑26 meetings, while Curry has been limited by the hamstring. The Lakers’ depth – boosted by the new ownership’s willingness to spend – has overcome the Warriors’ perimeter shooting.

For the Warriors, the choice is clear: either Curry returns and the team finds its road form, or the Lakers will extend their already dominant series lead. For the Lakers under new ownership, a win on April 10 would validate the $10 billion bet – and send a message that the dynasty isn’t fading.

Related reading: FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid Timeline: Full El Clásico History

For a deeper look at the numbers from a recent game, check out the recent Lakers-Warriors matchup stats when Stephen Curry was sidelined.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone following the Golden State Warriors vs Lakers timeline, the pattern is unmistakable: the Lakers own the history, but the Warriors have the recent edge in regular‑season wins. With Curry’s health and the Lakers’ new ownership, the next chapter could tip the balance. For the Lakers, the $10 billion price demands a quick payoff – or the narrative shifts.