How to Watch Live Lakers Games and Never Miss an NBA Showdown Again
2025-11-04 19:12
As a lifelong Lakers fan and sports media analyst, I've spent years perfecting the art of catching every crucial moment of NBA action. Let me share something fascinating I recently observed while researching international basketball schedules. The Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, actually has no forthcoming tournaments until the Fiba Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this August. This scheduling gap means any potential player bans would be resolved well before their next competitive appearance. This international basketball calendar insight got me thinking about how we approach watching our favorite NBA teams too - particularly how we can better plan our viewing schedules to never miss those epic Lakers showdowns.
The reality of modern NBA fandom means we need multiple strategies to catch live games. Having tracked Lakers viewership patterns for over a decade, I've noticed that the average fan misses approximately 12-15 regular season games annually due to scheduling conflicts. That's nearly 20% of the season! But here's what I've implemented in my own life that changed everything. First, understanding time zones is crucial. Living on the East Coast while following a West Coast team like the Lakers used to mean sacrificing sleep for 41 games each season. Then I discovered the magic of league pass recording combined with strategic social media blackouts. I'd record every game while avoiding spoilers, then watch them at reasonable hours. The key is turning off notifications from sports apps and muting certain keywords on Twitter until you've caught up.
Streaming services have revolutionized how we consume sports, but navigating blackout restrictions requires some clever workarounds. Personally, I maintain subscriptions to three different services simultaneously during basketball season - YouTube TV for local broadcasts, NBA League Pass for out-of-market games, and occasionally Sling TV for TNT matchups. This might sound excessive, but considering the Lakers' national TV appearances (they had 27 nationally televised games last season according to NBA scheduling data), it ensures I never face that frustrating "not available in your area" message. What really transformed my viewing experience was setting up a dedicated sports calendar that syncs across all my devices with automatic reminders 30 minutes before tipoff. I even color-code games by importance - purple and gold for must-watch matchups against rivals like the Celtics or Warriors.
Mobile viewing has become my secret weapon for catching games during busy days. The NBA app's streaming quality has improved dramatically, allowing me to watch quarters during lunch breaks or between meetings. I've found that the picture-in-picture feature on modern smartphones is perfect for keeping an eye on the game while working on other tasks. There's something special about being able to watch Anthony Davis dominate the paint while waiting in line at the grocery store. My personal record is watching three full quarters during a cross-country flight thanks to airline Wi-Fi, though I'll admit the connectivity cost me about $18 in additional fees.
What many fans don't realize is that the social aspect of game viewing has evolved tremendously. I've organized virtual watch parties using Discord servers where 15-20 of us sync our streams and chat throughout the game. The energy when LeBron makes one of those incredible fourth-quarter plays feels almost as electric online as it would in person. We've developed traditions - certain emoji reactions for three-pointers, defensive stops, and of course, those controversial referee calls. This community aspect has made me feel connected to the team in ways I never experienced just watching alone in my living room.
Looking ahead, the technology for sports viewing continues to advance at an incredible pace. I'm particularly excited about the potential of VR courtside experiences, which several tech companies are rumored to be developing for the 2024-2025 season. But for now, my system of multiple streaming options, strategic scheduling, and virtual community engagement means I haven't missed a single Lakers game in two full seasons. The peace of mind knowing I'll catch every LeBron historic moment, every Austin Reaves clutch play, and every dramatic finish is worth the planning and occasional subscription costs. After all, as true fans, we live for these moments - from October through June, through every thrilling victory and heartbreaking defeat.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
