The Golden State Warriors announced on Friday that they will inaugurate their new arena on October 5th, 2019 in a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Chase Center, the new home of the Warriors, will be in San Francisco, moving the back-to-back NBA champions across the bay from Oakland.
#DubNation, mark your calendars 🗓️
The Dubs preseason home opener will take place October 5th against the Lakers at @ChaseCenter! pic.twitter.com/vSSsyS9tGC
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 22, 2019
The Warriors seemingly chose a historical rivalry for a historical event. Golden State has faced off against Lakers forward LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in each of the last four NBA Finals, winning three of them.
While the Lakers were unable to make the postseason to rekindle the rivalry on the West Coast, it’s clear that there is both animosity and respect between James and the Warriors, making for the perfect story to start the new season.
The Warriors are widely expected to win the championship again, which would make their preseason home-opener double as the first time the team would be playing after a three-peat.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will be hoping to field a much more star-studded lineup of their own with cap space to sign or trade for a max free agent to join LeBron James in LA.
