Coachella Valley Lakers open inaugural season, Bronny James starts
THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) - The Coachella Valley Lakers will start their inaugural season at Acrisure Arena tonight against the Salt Lake City Stars.
The game tips off at 7:00 p.m., but gates open at 6:00 p.m. The team will be giving away bucket hats. Click here to purchase tickets. The game will also air on NBA.com and Roku.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers assigned Bronny James, the oldest son of NBA legend LeBron James, to the CV Lakers, along with rookie guard Cameron Carr. Both were in the starting five.
Both scored the first two baskets in team history.
James, 22, has previously spent time on the Lakers' G League affiliate, averaging 18.4 points on 49.6% shooting in 25 games over the last two seasons.
On Friday, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the two guards will rejoin the main team after tonight's game.
The Coachella Valley Lakers will be led by head coach Alex Cerda, who was the team's assistant coach for the past three seasons. News Channel 3's Sports Director Blake Arthur spoke with Cerda about what to expect.
The team finalized its training camp roster earlier this week. News Channel 3 sports reporter Kendall Flynn spoke with some of the players ahead of the season opener.
The 2026-27 G League season will feature 48 total games, hosting over 24 home games at Acrisure Arena during the season. That includes a visit from the Mexico City Capitanes in February. The NBA G League season will run from November to March.
Will Iger and A.C. Green will be the broadcasting team this season, and the games will air on several platforms; check the Lakers' website for where to watch.
Last season, the CV Lakers posted a 26-10 regular-season record, securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, losing in the conference finals.
The team was previously known as the South Bay Lakers, playing in El Segundo from 2017 to this past season. In April, the CV Lakers announced their move to Acrisure Arena starting in the 2026-27 season.
“Moving the Lakers G League team to the Coachella Valley is an incredible opportunity for the organization,” said Los Angeles Lakers President of Business Operations Lon Rosen in a press release. “The Lakers have had a strong presence in the region for decades, from the Showtime Lakers holding training camp in the 1980s to more recent preseason games. We are looking forward to extending that experience and becoming a staple for Coachella Valley sports and entertainment."
Over the past two decades, the Lakers G League team has developed the game’s next generation of professional athletes, including current Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves. The franchise has recorded 60 NBA call-ups across 38 players.
Stay with News Channel 3 for full coverage of the Coachella Valley Lakers all season long.
