How to Watch Nuggets vs. Lakers Preseason on DIRECTV: Tip-Off Time, ESPN Channel and Local TV
The Denver Nuggets visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. Pacific) at Crypto.com Arena, and the game airs nationally on ESPN, channel 206 on DIRECTV. It also streams in the ESPN app. ESPN comes with DIRECTV's ENTERTAINMENT package and higher, so most customers already have it.
It's the last nationally televised game of the 2026 NBA preseason. The exhibition slate ends Friday, and the regular season opens four days later on NBC and Peacock. Here's where to watch on DIRECTV, how each team's local outlets fit in and what comes next for both clubs.
Nuggets vs. Lakers game details
| Detail | Info (as of October 12, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. Pacific) |
| National TV | ESPN (DIRECTV channel 206) |
| Streaming | ESPN app |
| Arena | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles |
| Game type | NBA preseason (exhibition); last national preseason telecast |
What channel is Nuggets vs. Lakers on DIRECTV?
Turn to ESPN on channel 206. ESPN is part of the ENTERTAINMENT package and every package above it, and it's also in the MySports Genre Pack.
It's a national ESPN broadcast, so fans everywhere get the same feed. Each team's local regional network also covers Lakers and Nuggets games during the regular season:
- Los Angeles area: Lakers local games air on Spectrum SportsNet, a regional sports network that comes with CHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries it in your ZIP code. See our Lakers on DIRECTV guide.
- Denver area: Nuggets local games air on Altitude Sports, also a CHOICE-and-higher regional network where carried. See our Nuggets on DIRECTV guide.
Need ESPN or a bigger sports lineup before Friday? Call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check your package.
How to stream Nuggets vs. Lakers
- DIRECTV app: ESPN streams live in the DIRECTV app on your phone, tablet or streaming device if your package includes it.
- DIRECTV streaming: ESPN is channel 206 on DIRECTV streaming too, with ENTERTAINMENT and higher or MySports.
- ESPN app: ESPN's preseason games stream in the ESPN app. Sign in with your DIRECTV account, or use ESPN Unlimited, which DIRECTV offers at no extra cost to eligible customers.
- NBA League Pass: national ESPN games aren't available live on League Pass.
Nuggets vs. Lakers channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN (this game) | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher; MySports Genre Pack |
| NBA TV (earlier Friday: Celtics at 76ers) | 216 | CHOICE and higher; MySports Genre Pack |
| Spectrum SportsNet (Lakers local) | Regional sports network | CHOICE or higher where carried in your ZIP |
| Altitude Sports (Nuggets local) | Regional sports network | CHOICE or higher where carried in your ZIP |
What to know before tip-off
- Preseason finale on national TV: Friday is the last day of the 2026 NBA preseason. This ESPN game is the nightcap after Celtics at 76ers on NBA TV at 7 p.m. ET.
- Late start in the East: 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off means the second half runs past midnight on the East Coast. If you'll miss it, record ESPN on your DIRECTV DVR.
- Regular-season rematches: opening week puts the Lakers on ESPN against the Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and the Nuggets visit the Thunder on ESPN on Thursday, Oct. 22.
- Check availability on game day: preseason minutes for stars are often limited, and lineups usually come out close to tip-off.
Lakers and Nuggets: the next week
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue., Oct. 13 | Warriors vs. Lakers (Las Vegas, preseason) | 10 p.m. | NBA TV (216) |
| Wed., Oct. 14 | Nuggets at Clippers (preseason) | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV (216) |
| Fri., Oct. 16 | Nuggets at Lakers (preseason) | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
| Wed., Oct. 21 | Warriors at Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
| Thu., Oct. 22 | Nuggets at Thunder | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
The full national schedule, team-by-team local channels and League Pass details are in our guide to watching the NBA on DIRECTV, and the rest of the exhibition slate is in our 2026 NBA preseason guide.
Which DIRECTV package is best for Lakers and Nuggets fans?
- ENTERTAINMENT: includes ESPN and ESPN2 for national games like this one, plus local NBC and ABC where available for opening night and Saturday Primetime.
- CHOICE: adds NBA TV (216) and regional sports networks where available, including Spectrum SportsNet for the Lakers and Altitude Sports for the Nuggets.
- MySports Genre Pack: a sports-focused streaming option with ESPN, ESPN2 and NBA TV; add MyHome Team for a local regional network where offered.
Want ESPN, NBA TV and your team's regional network on one plan before Friday? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Nuggets vs. Lakers on October 16?
Tip-off is 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. Pacific) on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
What channel is Nuggets vs. Lakers on DIRECTV?
ESPN airs the game nationally. On DIRECTV, ESPN is channel 206 with ENTERTAINMENT and higher and with the MySports Genre Pack. It also streams in the ESPN app.
Is this the last NBA preseason game of 2026?
It's the last nationally televised preseason game. The preseason ends Friday, October 16, and the regular season opens Tuesday, October 20, on NBC and Peacock.
Can I watch Nuggets vs. Lakers on League Pass?
No. National ESPN games aren't available live on NBA League Pass. Watch on ESPN, channel 206, or in the ESPN app.
Where do the Lakers and Nuggets air local games on DIRECTV?
Lakers local games are on Spectrum SportsNet, and Nuggets local games are on Altitude Sports. Both are regional sports networks that come with CHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries them in your ZIP code.
Questions about ESPN or your local NBA channels? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 12, 2026. Tip times, TV assignments and broadcast lineups are set by the NBA, its teams and their TV partners and may change. Player availability for preseason games is often announced close to tip-off. Local channel carriage, channel numbers, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. NBA, ESPN, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.