The Los Angeles Lakers announced that individual game tickets will go on sale for the 2013-14 season on Saturday, Sept. 7. Tickets will be available starting 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, and at 1-800-4NBATIX. Tickets will not be available at the Staples Center Box Office.
With approximately 1,000 tickets available for each home game, the Lakers’ Christmas Day game against the Miami Heat is likely the biggest attraction for ticket buyers. The Boston Celtics come to visit on Feb. 21, but Rajan Rondo is the only remaining star on the rival Celtics.
The opening night showdown against Chris Paul and Los Angeles Clippers is sure to sell out immediately, as all four games against the Clippers were entertaining matches, even though the Lakers were unable to manage a single victory in four tries last season. While Kobe Bryant may be a doubt for the season opener, the Mar. 6 home game against the cross town rivals expects to feature the two best guards in the Western Conference.
The New York Knicks always bring plenty of hard talking East coast transplants to Staples Center, and the Mar. 25 meeting promises to be a quick seller.
In other Lakers’ news, the team announced the signing of six-year veteran Shawne Williams. Williams has served four teams since being drafter in 2006 by the Indiana Pacers. Most recently, the 6-foot-9 forward appeared in 25 games—six starts—for the New Jersey Nets during the 2011-12 season, and he averaged 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game.
In 2010-11, Williams played for the Knicks under current Lakers’ coach Mike D’Antoni and averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. That season, Williams averaged 40.1 percent from behind the arc.
With the signing of Williams, the Lakers strengthened their front court depth and added another piece that fits into D’Antoni’s offensive style. Also, D’Antoni’s familiarity with the player points to this being a signing the coach suggested. The level of impact Williams will have on the team remains to be seen, as the Memphis-native did not play a single minute with any NBA team last season.
