We already knew three notable early-season dates for the 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers: vs. the Golden State Warriors on opening night (Oct. 19), at the Phoenix Suns two days later, and a star-studded Christmas Day date with the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center.

Now, we know the rest.

On Friday, the full 2021-22 NBA schedule was released, as the league returns to its normal timeline and 82-game calendar.

The Lakers will have 12 back-to-backs — the fewest in basketball. They'll play 25 of their first 41 games at home, and 58 games prior to the All-Star break (Feb. 16-25).

L.A. will appear in 42 (!) national televised regular-season games (including NBATV) — something to keep in mind when placing any long-shot futures bets on award races.

Ahead of one of the most anticipated Lakers seasons in recent memory, let's take an initial glimpse at 10 cant-miss matchups from the 2021-22 slate, in chronological order.

1) Oct. 19 vs. Warriors (7 p.m. PT, TNT)

This game won't have Klay Thompson — more on him in a second — but, as the play-in game reminded us, there are few sporting events more entertaining than watching LeBron James and Stephen Curry go head-to-head on a basketball court.

That, combined with the debut of the new-look Lakers should produce a compelling nightcap for the premier of the NBA's 75th season.

2) Oct. 22 at Phoenix Suns (7 p.m. PT, ESPN)

Considering the way the first-round series between these two division rivals played out in June — and the Suns' ensuing come-up run to the NBA Finals — I won't be the only person eager to see how the Lakers respond in their first rematch of the season.

The Lakers may have a revamped roster, but their primary antagonists from their series — Jae Crowder, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker — are still very much Suns.

3) Nov. 15 vs. Chicago Bulls (7:30 p.m. PT, NBATV)

The return of the CaruShow! I don't usually say this — but I can't wait to see this tribute video. Weeks later, the Lakers' decision to let him walk for luxury tax reasons remains confounding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kOCR3XjKyw

4) Nov. 17 at Milwaukee Bucks (6:30 p.m. PT, ESPN)

The #WashedKing wants to reclaim his throne in the discussion of the game's best player. His first major opportunity to make a statement will come on the road against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champs on this Wednesday.

This showdown will kick off an eight-day, five-game East Coast swing for L.A. — the Lakers' second-longest road trip of the season. They'll hit the Atlantic Coast for six games from Jan. 21 – Jan. 30.

Giannis will make an appearance at Staples on Feb. 8 (7 p.m. PT, TNT).

5) Nov. 23, at New York Knicks (7:30 p.m. PT, TNT)

You may have heard: Big stars like to show out at Madison Square Garden. No team has more stars than the LakeShow in 2021-22 — including Carmelo Anthony, who spent seven seasons with the Knicks from 2010-2016.

The last matchup between these teams, on May 11, produced a wild overtime thriller in Los Angeles.

In general, this road trip will be rife with storylines, as the Lakers will face the Bucks, the Boston Celtics, and no. 1 pick Cade Cunnighman before heading to the Big Apple and Indiana.

6) Dec. 7, vs. Celtics (7 p.m. PT, ESPN)

Not only will this be Boston's only visit to Staples Center — a perennial marquee matchup on the NBA calendar — it will mark Dennis Schroder's return to Los Angeles, too, adding another wrinkle to the longstanding rivalry. That should be interesting.

7) Christmas Day, vs. Nets (5 p.m. PT, ABC)

LeBron vs. Kyrie. Russ vs. KD. The two title favorites. All-stars and future Hall of Famers galore. Can't do better than this for the primetime slot on Christmas Day.

The big question: What are the odds all 10 potential future Hall of Famers (including Anthony, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, and maybe Marc Gasol) play in this one? We might need a Christmas miracle.

8) Feb. 12, at Warriors (5:30 p.m. PT, ABC) 

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ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported on “The Jump” on Friday, that Golden State is targeting Christmas as a return date for Klay Thompson. That means we may get the first Lakers-Warriors matchup featuring Klay four days before the All-Star break.

With a healthy Thompson in the mix, the Warriors — infused with young talent from the past two drafts — have a chance to contend once again. There's a non-zero chance this ends up being a Western Conference Finals preview and the best rivalry in basketball for the next season or two.

9) Feb. 27 vs. the New Orleans Pelicans (7 p.m. PT, ESPN)

Zion Williamson's first two career games vs. the Lakers at Staples Center:

  • Feb. 25, 2020: 29 points (8-of-18 FG), six rebounds — Lakers W (LeBron dropped 40).
  • Jan. 17, 2021: 21 points (9-of-19 FG), 12 rebounds — Lakers W

Obviously, Zion vs. LeBron is a must-see game, no matter the context, especially at Staples. Fortunately for Angelenos, Williamson and the Pels will be back on April Fool's Day.

Don't sleep on Brandon Ingram, either, who will forever want to make a statement any time he comes to L.A..

10) March 11, vs. Washington Wizards (7:30 p.m. PT, NBATV)

Barring any further moves from the Wizards — not impossible — this second-half matchup will mark Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell's return to Staples.

Harrell spent one underwhelming campaign in L.A. and wasn't pleased with how it ended, but Kuzma and KCP — four-year Lakers who were instrumental to the 2020 championship — will rightfully earn wholesome tributes and welcomes.

A few other notable Lakers games:

  • As The Athletic's Bill Oram noted, the Jan. 7 home game against Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks will mark the 50th anniversary of the '72 Lakers' historic 33rd consecutive win, which happened to come against … Atlanta (the winning streak still stands across American major professional sports, btw). I assume there will be a celebration.
  • The Lakers and Clippers face off four times, with the first matchup coming on Dec. 3 (Lakers are home). Without Kawhi Leonard and Westbrook's longtime foe, Patrick Beverly, though, the “Battle for L.A.” will be sapped of some luster.
  • Luka Doncic will make his lone trip to L.A. to face the Lakers on March 1 (7 p.m. PT, TNT).
  • The Denver Nuggets and the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, won't visit Staples until Game No. 78 on Apr. 3 (Sunday, 12:30 p.m. PT, ABC). The Lakers will finish their regular season in Mile High one week later, on April 10.