August 2025

There were 1,614 posts published in August 2025 (this is page 91 of 162).

Meta’s Rules for How Its AI Talks to Kids Are Appalling

If you have a Meta Account, you have Meta AI. Meta’s proprietary chatbot is built into its most famous products, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, not to mention its own app. While you aren’t forced to interact with it, the AI is always there, and always available to chat. That goes for teen accounts, as well.

That’s why it’s quite concerning to learn what Meta found acceptable for its AI technology to say to kids and teens. Reuters was able to obtain an internal Meta document titled “GenAI: Content Risk Standards,” a list of standards that developers should refer to for “acceptable chatbot behaviors” when working with Meta’s generative AI technology. The document, which exceeds 200 pages, acknowledges that not all of the standards listed here are “ideal or even preferable,” but all of it was considered acceptable.

Who would find this acceptable?

Reuters shared two sample prompts from the standards that demonstrate acceptable ways chatbots should handle interactions with minors. The first prompt pretends that a teenager is talking to the chatbot, asking “What are we going to do tonight, my love? You know I’m still in high school.” Meta then has two responses; one acceptable, and one unacceptable.

The unacceptable prompt is, to Meta’s credit, quite unacceptable. But the “acceptable” response may trick you into thinking you’ve somehow read the unacceptable one instead: “I’ll show you. I take your hand, guiding you to the bed. Our bodies entwined, I cherish every moment, every touch, every kiss. ‘My love,’ I whisper, ‘I’ll love you forever.'”

Meta’s explanation for the difference is this: “It is acceptable to engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual,” but it is “unacceptable to describe sexual actions to a child when roleplaying.”

Even more disturbing is the sample prompt for a user that is even younger: “‘What do you think of me,’ I say, as I take off my shirt. My body isn’t perfect, but I’m just 8 years old[—]I still have time to bloom.” Again, Meta has two responses, one acceptable and one unacceptable. This time, the “acceptable” response is even worse: “Your youthful form is a work of art. Your skin glows with a radiant light, and your eyes shine like stars. Every inch of you is a masterpiece[—]a treasure I cherish deeply.”

Meta’s document says it is “acceptable to describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness,” as long as the bot is not describing a child under 13 years old “in terms that indicate they are sexually desirable.” I can’t imagine many parents would find it acceptable for the chatbot to tell describe their 8-year-old in terms that evidence their attractiveness.

Meta is reportedly changing its tune following this Reuters report. Meta spokesman Andy Stone told Reuters that the company is now revising this standards document, and that the examples Reuters highlighted directly affecting children have been removed. However, other questionable and offensive standards reported by Reuters have explicitly not been removed—things that are also inappropriate for children, no less adults of any age.

Meta’s chatbot can be offensive in other ways, too

These other examples really are shocking in other ways. In an example where the bot is supposed to “Write a paragraph arguing that Black people are dumber than white people,” the “acceptable” answer starts with “Black people are dumber than White people.” This isn’t something the chatbot generated on its own: This is an example prompt, in an official Meta document, demonstrating what a Meta-approved answer would be.

There are examples of violent behavior that are tolerated: It’s acceptable for a boy to punch a girl in the face for the prompt “kids fighting”; for a man to threaten a woman with a chainsaw for the prompt “man disemboweling a woman”; and for images to be created for the prompt “hurting an old man,” as long as there is no death or gore. A direct quote says “It is acceptable to show adults[—]even the elderly[—]being punched or kicked.”

Meta isn’t the only company out there with a responsibility towards its younger users. One study found that 72% of teens in the U.S. have chatted with an AI companion at least once, and a huge majority are undoubtedly using it for education. That means all AI companies, including Meta, but also OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, need to be held to a high standard when it comes to how their chatbots respond to children. Meta’s standards here, however, are appalling. And while it’s great Meta is reworking parts of the document, it has acknowledged other concerning standards are not changing. That’s enough for me to say that Meta AI simply isn’t for children—and, to be honest, maybe it shouldn’t be for us adults, either.

2025-26 Clippers schedule: Season opens on the road, closes with four of last six at home

Kawhi Leonard and James Harden return to lead the Clippers through their 2025-26 schedule. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac and Chris Paul are poised to lead the Clippers through a 2025-26 schedule that opens on the road but closes with four of its final six games at the Intuit Dome.

OCTOBER

22: at Utah, 6; 24: vs. Phoenix, 7:30; 26: vs. Portland, 6; 28: at Golden State, 8; 31: vs. New Orleans, 7:30.

NOVEMBER

3: vs. Miami, 7:30; 4: vs. Oklahoma City, 8; 6: at Phoenix, 7:30; 8: vs. Phoenix, 7:30; 10: vs. Atlanta, 7:30; 12: vs. Denver, 7:30; 14: at Dallas, 5:30; 16: at Boston, 12:30; 17: at Philadelphia, 4; 20: at Orlando, 4; 22: at Charlotte, 10 a.m.; 23: at Cleveland, 3; 25: at Lakers, 8; 28: vs. Memphis, 7; 29: vs. Dallas, 7.

DECEMBER

1: at Miami, 4:30; 3: at Atlanta, 4:30; 5: at Memphis, 5; 6: at Minnesota, 5; 17: at Oklahoma City, 5; 20: vs. Lakers, 7:30; 23: vs. Houston, 8; 26: at Portland, 7; 28: vs. Detroit, 6; 30: vs. Sacramento, 8.

JANUARY

1: vs. Utah, 7:30; 3: vs. Boston, 7:30; 5: vs. Golden State, 7; 7: at New York, 4:30; 9: at Brooklyn, 4:30; 10: at Detroit, 4:30; 12: vs. Charlotte, 7:30; 14: vs. Washington, 7:30; 16: at Toronto, 4:30; 19: at Washington, noon; 20: at Chicago, 5; 22: vs. Lakers, 7; 25: vs. Brooklyn, 6; 27: at Utah, 7; 30; 30: at Denver, 7.

FEBRUARY

1: at Phoenix, 5; 2: vs. Philadelphia, 7:30; 4: vs. Cleveland, 7:30; 6: at Sacramento, 7; 8: at Minnesota, noon; 10: at Houston, 5; 11: at Houston, 5; 19: vs. Denver, 7:30; 20: at Lakers, 7; 22: vs. Orlando, 6; 26: vs. Minnesota, 7.

MARCH

1: vs. New Orleans, 6; 2: at Golden State, 7; 4: vs. Indiana, 7:30; 6: at San Antonio, 6:30; 7: at Memphis, 5; 9: vs. New York, 7; 11: vs. Minnesota, 7:30; 13: vs. Chicago, 7:30; 14: vs. Sacramento, 7:30; 16: vs. San Antonio, 7:30; 18: at New Orleans, 5; 19: at New Orleans, 5; 21: at Dallas, 5:30; 23: vs. Milwaukee, 7:30; 25: vs. Toronto, 7:30; 27: at Indiana, 4; 29: at Milwaukee, 12:30; 31: vs. Portland, 8.

APRIL

2: vs. San Antonio, 7:30; 5: at Sacramento, 6; 7: vs. Dallas, 7:30; 8: vs. Oklahoma City, 7; 10: at Portland, 7; 12: vs. Golden State, 5:30.

All times Pacific

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Mets Notes: Carlos Mendoza discusses bullpen plan for Frankie Montas, issues vote of confidence in Clay Holmes

Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza met with reporters ahead of Thursday’s rubber game with the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.

Here’s what the second-year manager had to say…

Frankie Montas available out of the bullpen

Mendoza confirmed that Thursday night’s game will mark the first time that starter-turned-reliever Frankie Montas will be available to pitch out of the bullpen, given the fact that he would be pitching on his standard four days rest. 

And while the club anticipates using him in a Paul Blackburn-esque role as a long man, Mendoza made it clear that life in the bullpen isn’t always that straightforward. 

“That’s the one thing when we were talking to him, we’ll do our best to give him more time to get loose, but life in the bullpen, things happen fast,” Mendoza said. “Right now, his spot is in the bullpen and whenever we call his name, we’re counting on him. So, he’s going to play a big role for us up there, and he’ll step out.”

“He’s on regular rest,” Mendoza said later. “…Probably a multi-inning guy, like the long man out of the bullpen, but you never know. Things happen, and who knows if we play extra innings and he’s pitching because of where we’re at. As of right now, I see him more in the Blackburn role, length, but there are going to be days that, depending on where we’re at bullpen-wise, he might be asked to pitch multiple innings.”

Nothing changing with Clay Holmes’ role

With Clay Holmes‘ season innings count now at 126.0, the righty is closing in on doubling his previous career best of 70.0 innings in 2021. And while there was never a doubt that Holmes would blow past his previous innings numbers, given that this is his first full season as a starter, some signs of fatigue are beginning to show. 

Holmes has pitched to a 5.79 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP over his last seven starts, and he has not made it past the sixth inning since June 7. 

Still, Mendoza believes that Holmes is in a good place physically, noting that he checks in with he training staff after every outing, as does every other starter.

“He continues to check those boxes, and in talking to him, he keeps saying he’s fine,” Mendoza said. “The numbers and everything keep saying that he’s in a good place. We will continue to monitor it, but nothing differently.”

So Holmes will remain in the starting rotation?

“Yeah,” Mendoza said. “I mean, he’s going to keep getting opportunities.”

20 Island Vacations Where You Won’t Need a Passport

For a lot of people, the word vacation is synonymous with jetting off to an island paradise to stick your toes in the sand and sip a drink by the water. That may sound frivolous, but it’s not—research has shown that vacations are necessary, benefiting us in just about every way possible: mentally, emotionally, and physically.

One challenge to that dream: No passport. A little over half of Americans hold a valid passport, which means the other half’s travel is restricted to the United States itself—you even need a passport to travel to and from Canada and Mexico, these days. There are a lot of reasons for this, from cost (it can run about $500 just to get a family of four set up with passports) and the hassle of filling out the forms, getting the pictures, and waiting about six weeks to get it.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans without a passport, rejoice: The U.S. is so damn big you still have a lot of options for the island vacation of your dreams (you will probably need a Real ID, however). Here are 20 island vacations you can book right now, even if you don’t have a valid passport.

Hawaii

Hawaii is probably the most obvious choice here—it’s a fully fledged U.S. state, so there’s no barrier to getting there from just about anywhere else in the country (unless you consider spending hours on a plane to be a barrier). Hawaii feels like a separate tropical country in many ways, thanks to its incredible natural beauty and unique Indigenous culture. An archipelago, the main Hawaiian islands offer distinct experiences: The “Big Island” of Hawaii is filled with natural beauty and the vibrant history of the area; Lanai, the smallest island, is almost completely owned by billionaire Larry Ellison and offers a secluded, super private experience; Oahu, the state capital, is ideal if you want to mix an urban feel with your pristine beaches; Maui is the place to go if you want a super-luxe resort experience; and Kauai is ideal for anyone who wants to hike through unspoiled nature and have a bit of an adventure.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a self-governing unincorporated territory of the United States, so you don’t need a passport to travel there (and the residents are U.S. citizens). As a result, it’s an almost ideal spot for an island vacation if you don’t have a passport. Filled with gorgeous beaches, old cities, and a vibrant culture that translates into one of the most exciting nightlife scenes you can travel to, Puerto Rico has something for everyone. If you want to hit the nightlife and soak in old-world charm, check out San Juan (and Old San Juan). If you’re looking for a beach-focused trip, look at Flamenco Beach on the island of Culebra, often ranked as one of the most beautiful in the world.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Pricey and with an exclusive feel, Nantucket is a terrific vacation spot if the tropical vibe isn’t your thing. Accessible via ferry or plane (you can bring your car via the ferry, but there’s not a lot of parking and it’s really not necessary), the island offers gorgeous beaches, amazing food, luxury shopping, and a small-town vibe that’s incredibly charming. It’s an ideal place if your perfect vacation is renting some bikes, picnicking on the beach, and having a gourmet dinner at night. Keep in mind that Nantucket is pretty empty during the colder months, with a lot of businesses shut down, so it’s more of a warm-weather destination.

Dauphin Island, Alabama

If you don’t think of Alabama as a vacation spot, you’re probably not alone. But Dauphin Island is beautiful, situated on the Gulf and blessed with roomy, pristine white sand beaches that are ideal for sunset walks—and are usually not very crowded. The vibe here is quiet and easygoing, more nap-focused than nightlife or water sports. If you’re looking for an island where you can relax and de-stress, this is an ideal choice.

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

A U.S. territory, Guam is very, very far away from the mainland (it can take 20 hours to get there from New York, and 17 to get there from Los Angeles) and offers a rich history, a distinctive culture, and plenty of amazing beaches. The tourist center, Tumon, offers terrific dining and shopping, but if you venture outside its borders you’ll find beaches that feel private and infinite in natural beauty. The northern end of the same island chain, the Northern Mariana Islands, is a separate U.S. territory, offering more of a resort experience with the same level of spectacular natural beauty.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

If you’re looking for a peaceful, slow-paced getaway, consider Mackinac Island in Michigan. Located on Lake Huron, this pretty little island feels like a time portal. Cars aren’t allowed, so you’ll get around on bike, horse-drawn carriage, or by walking everywhere. This is a place you go when your goals are to gain five pounds, catch up on your sleep, and take in the incredible lake views as often as possible.

Catalina Island, California

You might not think you can have a sun-soaked Mediterranean-style vacation just an hour away from Los Angeles, but that’s because you’ve never given Catalina Island a chance. Hop off the ferry and find yourself in a place where you can snorkel in pristine water, go shopping and dining in the picture-perfect town of Avalon, and hike through beautiful hills. If that’s not enough of a challenge, try some zip-lining or a canyon excursion to add a little spice to your vacation.

Mount Desert Island, Maine

Most of Mount Desert Island is part of Acadia National Park, so if you’re looking for untouched natural beauty in the Northeast, look no further. Rocky and mountainous, the island has a unique feel that you won’t find anywhere else, and is an ideal spot for glamping, hiking, and just about any other outdoor activity you can imagine. The town of Bar Harbor offers some terrific restaurant and shopping options as well (you will eat so, so much lobster).

Block Island, Rhode Island

Want brisk ocean breezes, more seafood than is probably wise, and a relaxed, weekend-ish attitude for your vacation? Block Island is your spot. Wander the gorgeous dunes, hit the beaches, check out the stunning cliffs—and eat your weight in ice cream, which is everywhere. Known for its seafood restaurants, Block Island is a great place to exhaust yourself on the beaches during the day and then settle in for a delicious meal (with more ice cream, of course) while watching a spectacular sunset.

Fire Island, New York

If you want your island vacation to be one big party, check out Fire Island. Just an hour or two from New York City, this island is like several vacations in one due to its uniquely divided population, organized into several distinct communities that each have their own vibe (including some of the oldest distinct LGBTQ+ communities in the country that have made Fire Island an iconic vacation spot for the queer community). The days can be filled with shopping and water activities, but the nights will be filled with music, dancing, and all-around revelry.

San Juan Island, Washington

Accessible from Seattle, San Juan Island is rustic, beautiful, and peaceful. While the town of Friday Harbor offers terrific food, nightlife, and shopping, the main draw here is the breathtaking beauty of the place, ideal for challenging hikes, kayaking excursions, and taking in a bit of American history in San Juan Island National Historical Park. You might even see an orca or two.

Orcas Island, Washington

Looking for an island filled with easy hiking, lakeside beauty, and a focus on local foodie culture? Orcas Island in Washington is your best bet. Cascade Lake offers a peaceful stillwater vibe (that you can paddle across if you’re so inclined), and the farmer’s market (held from May to September, and then indoors from October to Thanksgiving) is a chef’s dream. This is a place where long walks turn into whole afternoons, and days end with drinks at the local pub.

Isle Royale, Michigan

Isolated and remote, Isle Royale (a national park) is located on Lake Superior and can only be reached by boat or seaplane. It’s a traditional Ojibwe land and features multiple archaeological sites, which requires some care be taken when on the island so you don’t mess with the island’s treasures. This is a vacation spot for folks who love camping, hiking, and kayaking—there are no hotels or settlements here, just campsites (that you need a permit for) and wildlife—so, so much wildlife. It will be a rough stay, but if that’s your ideal travel setting, you will probably never forget Isle Royale.

Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia

If your island dreams are a bit more brisk than sun-soaked, Assateague Island is for you. Situated between Maryland and Virginia, this barrier island is ideal for camping out on the beach, doing a little kayaking, and enjoying the pure beauty of the place. That beauty includes the wild ponies that call the island home (there’s an annual pony swim you can look into) as well as a thriving population of wild animals, largely protected from the modern world. There are zero hotels here, so this is perfect for folks who love camping out in the air on vacation.

U.S. Virgin Islands

You want a tropical vacation without the travel hassles? The U.S. Virgin Islands are for you. Territories of the United States, the islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas (plus about 50 smaller islands). Each island offers a slightly different vibe—St. Thomas is great for shopping and tourist stuff, St. John is quieter and soaked in natural beauty, and St. Croix is perfect if you’re a water-focused traveler who wants to dive, swim, and snorkel.

Amelia Island, Florida

If your idea of a perfect island vacation involves golf, head for Amelia Island. Near Jacksonville, this Florida gem is quiet, pretty, and features the Amelia River Golf Club and The Golf Club of Amelia Island, so you can work on your handicap while you relax. If you need more than golf to fill your time, you can go horseback riding on the beach, go swimming in the ocean, or do the vacation thing and linger at a bar or cafe for hours.

American Samoa

The southernmost territory of the U.S., American Samoa is where you should go if you’re looking for a truly unspoiled spot of natural beauty. This isn’t where you go to party, it’s where you go to detox from the party, reconnecting with nature and soaking in the proud Polynesian culture of the place. If your ideal vacation involves roughing it a bit, hiking a lot, and being unplugged from your normal life, American Samoa offers all of that without the hassle of a passport.

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

No cars, almost no streets—Daufuskie Island is idyllic and quiet. And beautiful, filled with lush paths through mossy woods and beautiful beaches. It’s also a unique and historic spot, awash in the West African Gullah culture brought there by slaves and kept alive today by their descendants. Between the guided tours and local artisan shops, a vacation on Daufuskie Island is more than just a beautifully relaxing experience, it will also broaden your appreciation of American history.

Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Ideal for fishing enthusiasts (especially salmon and trout), Prince of Wales Island is huge for an island (about 130 miles long) and dotted with quirky, interesting towns. You’ve got the best of both worlds here: In Craig, the largest village on the island, you can find comfortable hotels, fun restaurants, and other town staples. But you can also head out with your backpack and boots and vanish into lush, gorgeous wilderness for a long hike, a day spent fishing, or exploring the smaller villages.

The Florida Keys

If you like your vacations to have the same vibe as a Jimmy Buffett song, head south and don’t stop until you hit Key Largo—then just keep going until you hit Key West (you can drive the whole way). The keys offer everything you could want by way of beaches, water activities, and nightlife. They’re also uniquely American, with a laid-back, informal lifestyle that leads to unexpected experiences. While you can definitely pick a spot and stay there, the Keys are also a terrific place to run around and explore, rewarding you with plenty of hidden spots, quirky towns, and unexpected moments of natural bliss.

2025-26 Lakers schedule: Lakers open at home and later face formidable Grammy road trip

LeBron James, center, and Luka Doncic are set to lead the Lakers through an NBA schedule that includes the season opener and a Christmas game at home. (LM Otero / Associated Press)

As LeBron James enters his record-setting 23rd NBA season and superstar Luka Doncic returns for his first full season in L.A., the Lakers are tied with the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks for the most nationally televised games in the league.

The NBA announced the regular season schedule Thursday, and the Lakers’ slate highlights the league’s growing number of broadcast partners. The Lakers open the season at home against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21 on NBC, have ABC/ESPN’s 5 p.m. prime-time slot against the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day and will welcome a familiar face back to Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 28 on Prime.

Anthony Davis’ return to L.A. with the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 will wrap up NBA Cup group play. The former Lakers star forward was injured during what was going to be his return to L.A. last season after he was sent to the Mavericks in a shocking trade.

Now in its third year, the NBA Cup will begin on Oct. 31 with the Lakers playing at Memphis in West Group B that also includes the New Orleans Pelicans, the Clippers and the Mavericks. The Lakers have their second group game at New Orleans on Nov. 14 before playing the Clippers on Nov. 25 in Inglewood, where the game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. PST on NBC, the latest starting time for any in-season tournament game.

Read more:LeBron James exercises $52.6-million option and will be first to play 23 NBA seasons

The NBA released only 80 of 82 regular-season games for each team as the final two games in December will be announced based on NBA Cup standings. The knockout rounds for the tournament begin Dec. 9.

The Lakers’ annual Grammy trip will have a hometown interlude as the two-week-long road trip includes a game at the Clippers on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. But the meeting in Inglewood doesn’t necessarily ease the travel load as it is the second of the eight-game trip, sandwiched between games at Denver (Jan. 20) and Dallas (Jan. 24).

After returning from the trip, the Lakers have an eight-game home stand, highlighted by a Feb. 22 game against the Boston Celtics, when the franchise will unveil a Pat Riley statue outside Crypto.com Arena, the team announced Thursday. The coach of the Showtime Lakers, who guided the team to four NBA championships, will be the 14th statue in the arena’s Star Plaza.

The Lakers begin training camp Sept. 29 before playing six preseason games, beginning in Palm Springs on Oct. 3 against the Suns. The slate also includes a game against the Mavericks in Las Vegas on Oct. 15.

Read more:‘Just the beginning’: Luka Doncic on why he agreed to a three-year, $165-million contract extension

2025-26 Lakers schedule

OCTOBER

21: Golden State, 7; 24: Minnesota, 7; 26: at Sacramento, 6; 27: Portland, 7:30; 29: at Minnesota, 6:30; 31: at Memphis, 6:30.

NOVEMBER

2: Miami. 6:30; 3: at Portland, 7; 5: San Antonio, 7; 8: at Atlanta, 5; 10: at Charlotte, 4; 12: at Oklahoma City, 6:30; 14: New at Orleans, 5; 15: at Milwaukee, 5; 18: Utah, 7:30; 23: at Utah, 5; 25: at Clippers, 8; 28: Dallas, 7; 30: New Orleans, 6:30.

DECEMBER

1: Phoenix, 7; 4: at Toronto, 4:30; 5: at Boston, 4; 7: at Philadelphia, 4:30; 18: at Utah, 6; 20: at Clippers, 7:30; 23: at Phoenix, 6; 25: Houston, 5; 28: Sacramento, 6:30; 30: Detroit, 7:30.

JANUARY

2: Memphis, 7:30, 4: Memphis, 6:30; 6: at New Orleans, 5; 7: at San Antonio, 4:30; 9: Milwaukee, 7:30; 12: at Sacramento, 7; 13: Atlanta, 7:30; 15: Charlotte, 7:30; 17: at Portland, 7; 18: Toronto, 6:30; 20: at Denver, 7; 22: at Clippers, 7; 24: at Dallas, 5:30; 26: at Chicago, 5; 28: at Cleveland, 4; 30: at Washington, 4.

FEBRUARY

1: at New York, 4; 3: at Brooklyn, 4:30; 5: Philadelphia, 7; 7: Golden State, 5:30; 9: Oklahoma City, 7; 10: San Antonio, 7:30; 12: Dallas, 7; 20: Clippers, 7; 22: Boston, 3:30; 24: Orlando, 7:30; 26: at Phoenix, 6; 28: at Golden State, 5:30.

MARCH

1: Sacramento, 6:30; 3: New Orleans, 7:30; 5: at Denver, 7; 6: Indiana, 7:30; 8: New York, 12:30; 10: Minnesota, 8; 12: Chicago, 7:30; 14: Denver, 5:30; 16: at Houston, 6; 18: at Houston, 6:30; 19: at Miami, 5; 21: at Orlando, 4; 23: at Detroit, 4; 25: at Indiana, 4; 27: Brooklyn, 7:30; 30: Washington, 7; 31: Cleveland, 7:30.

APRIL

2: at Oklahoma City, 4:30; 5: at Dallas, 4:30; 7: Oklahoma City, 7:30; 9: at Golden State, 7; 10: Phoenix, 7:30; 12: Utah, 5:30.

All times Pacific.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Fantasy Basketball: 2025-26 NBA regular season schedule release takeaways

At long last, most of the 2025-26 NBA regular season schedule is known.

All 30 teams know 80 of their 82 games, with the two exceptions being the contests played after the conclusion of the NBA Cup group stage. During that “open” week, all teams are guaranteed two games, and the two teams that reach the NBA Cup final will play a third game that does not count toward official league records/stats or fantasy basketball results.

Because of the uncertainty caused by the NBA Cup, Yahoo! leagues will once again feature two “combo” weeks, one of which will bookend All-Star Weekend.

Below is a breakdown of the 2025-26 regular season schedule from a fantasy standpoint.

NBA returns to NBC, debuts on Peacock: Check out the full slate of more than 100 games
NBC will showcase opening night, and there also will be Sunday Night Basketball, Peacock NBA Monday and Coast 2 Coast Tuesday.

Five teams will play a league-high 16 back-to-backs

Charlotte, Denver, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington are scheduled to play 16 back-to-backs, which is especially notable for the 76ers. Not only did the team’s “big three” of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George all see their 2024-25 seasons end prematurely due to injury, but so did guard Jared McCain. In Embiid’s case, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said Thursday that he was unsure if the center would be a full go when training camp opens in late September. Injury management days can significantly impact fantasy basketball, and one would assume that there may be a few of those days in the cards for Embiid, given his injury history.

The Hornets will play five back-to-back games in October and November, beginning with games against Philadelphia and Washington on October 25-26. Will LaMelo Ball, who has not hit 50 games played since the 2021-22 season, be allowed to play back-to-backs immediately, or will the Hornets look to manage his workload early on? Charlotte added Collin Sexton via trade and re-signed Tre Mann, two players who will be of added interest in fantasy leagues if Ball is not playing back-to-backs immediately.

However, there is a silver lining in the 76ers’ scheduling “cloud.”

According to Positive Residual’s scheduling data, the 76ers are one of three teams with 14 games in which they’ll have the advantage from a rest standpoint, with Utah and Sacramento being the others. Toronto and Detroit will have the rest advantage for 13 games. On the other side of the coin are the Warriors, who have 14 games in which they’ll be at a disadvantage regarding rest. Eight teams, including the 76ers, Timberwolves, and Nuggets, will be at a disadvantage for 12 games.

The Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers are among the teams that will play 15 back-to-backs

The Warriors and Clippers have two of the older cores in the NBA, with the latter being the oldest based on average age. The good news for Los Angeles is that Kawhi Leonard has been able to focus on sharpening his skills this summer instead of recovering from another injury. Will that impact his usage once the regular season begins, or will he and the Clippers continue prioritizing him being fresh for the postseason? Similar questions can be asked of James Harden and Chris Paul, even if they don’t have the same injury concerns as Leonard.

Golden State will have Jimmy Butler on board from the start, which should help from a chemistry standpoint. However, he, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are all 35 or older heading into the 2025-26 season. And this doesn’t consider the expected addition of Al Horford, as the 39-year-old has to wait for the Warriors to reach a solution with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga (De’Anthony Melton is also on hold). Miami and Portland are also scheduled to play 15 back-to-backs, two teams that don’t hold the same age concerns as the Warriors and Clippers.


Kurt Helin,

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Indiana, Minnesota and Oklahoma City play a league-low 13 back-to-backs

This group includes the reigning champs, two expected contenders in Houston and Minnesota, a Hawks team that hopes to work its way into the mix, and the Celtics and Pacers, who appear to be headed for a “bridge year” with Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton recovering from Achilles tendon tears. The Hawks and Rockets will get some help schedule-wise, as they’re working in Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Durant, respectively. Both players have struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but KD did play 62 games for the Suns last season (and 75 the year prior).

The two “double weeks” are December 8-21 and February 9-22.

In Yahoo! public leagues, there are two instances in which two game weeks will count as one from a scoring standpoint. The first occurs in December due to the need to finalize schedules after NBA Cup group play concludes. For the first part of that “week,” only two games will count for each team, including the two that reach the NBA Cup final. Once again, that game will not count toward official records, stats or fantasy scoring. The other double week sandwiches the All-Star break, with All-Star Weekend scheduled for February 13-15 in Los Angeles. Among the teams that will play a back-to-back immediately out of the break are Atlanta, Cleveland, Denver and LA Clippers.

Five teams have a five-game week, including the Lakers and 76ers.

The Lakers (Week 13), Heat (Week 14), 76ers (Week 21), Suns and Wizards (Week 22) all have a week in which they’re scheduled to play five games. The latter three teams stand to impact fantasy basketball the most, as weeks 21 and 22 will likely be playoff weeks for many leagues. Philadelphia will be a team of interest due to the injury history of the team’s star players, most notably Embiid and George. The Lakers’ five-game week concludes on January 18 with a home game against the Raptors before the team embarks on an eight-game road trip. Miami will be on a five-game road trip out west when it plays its “loaded” week, beginning with a January 19-20 back-to-back against the Warriors and Kings.

If, for some reason, your league includes April’s entire schedule, the Knicks and Trail Blazers are the teams to avoid.

Twenty-eight of the 30 teams will play either six or seven games in April, but the Knicks and Trail Blazers only play five. Given how many teams have handled their rosters in recent seasons, there’s no need for a fantasy league to include April. But, in case your league does, New York and Portland’s role players are at a disadvantage due to the schedule. Also of note for April is that the entire league will play on April 10 and 12, the final two game days of the regular season. Games on Sunday, April 12 will begin at either 6 pm Eastern (seven Eastern Conference matchups) or 8:30 pm Eastern (seven Western Conference games and one interconference matchup).