Catching a Lakers game isn't as simple as it used to be. You used to just flip on the TV, find Channel 9 or FSN West, and hear Chick Hearn’s voice. Now? It’s a mess of streaming rights, regional blackouts, and expensive subscriptions. If you want to listen to Lakers games while you’re stuck in traffic on the 405 or just doing dishes at home, you need a roadmap. Honestly, radio is often better than the TV broadcast anyway because you don’t have to deal with the visual lag of illegal streams or the soul-crushing "This content is not available in your area" message.
The heartbeat of Lakers radio has always been 710 ESPN LA (KSPN-AM). That is the mothership. Whether it's a Tuesday night game against the Pistons or a high-stakes playoff matchup with the Nuggets, John Ireland and Mychal Thompson are the guys in your ear. Ireland brings the hype; Mychal brings the weird, hilarious "Old School" commentary. It works.
The Best Way to Listen to Lakers Games Right Now
If you are within the Los Angeles metro area, your phone is actually your best friend, but there's a catch. You can't just go to any random radio website. The ESPN LA App is the most direct route. It’s free. It’s usually stable. But—and this is a big "but"—geofencing is real. If you drive past San Bernardino or head up toward Santa Barbara, that digital stream might cut out because of NBA broadcasting restrictions.
The NBA is incredibly protective of its terrestrial radio partners. This means that while you can hear the game on a physical AM/FM radio for free, digital streaming apps sometimes have to "black out" the game if they detect you are outside the specific market. It’s annoying.
For those who live outside of Southern California, your options shift toward the NBA League Pass (Audio). Most people think League Pass is just for watching video, but they offer an audio-only subscription that is surprisingly cheap. Usually, it’s around $9.99 for the whole season. You get the home and away radio feeds, which is great if you actually prefer the opposing team's announcers for some reason—though why you'd want to listen to anyone but Ireland and Thompson is beyond me.
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What About TuneIn and iHeartRadio?
You’ll see these apps advertised everywhere. TuneIn used to be the king of sports radio, but they’ve moved a lot of their premium sports content behind a "TuneIn Premium" paywall. If you have the premium version, you can usually listen to Lakers games without a hitch. If you’re using the free version, you might just get a loop of sports talk or national news instead of the actual tip-off.
iHeartRadio is hit or miss. Since 710 ESPN is an ESPN affiliate and not an iHeart station, the integration isn't always there. Stick to the source. Use the dedicated ESPN LA app or the official Lakers app. The Lakers' official app often has a "Listen Live" button right on the home screen during game time. It’s a one-tap solution that saves you from scrolling through a list of a thousand radio stations.
Why the Radio Broadcast Hits Different
There’s a specific energy to Lakers radio. Television broadcasts have a lot of dead air because the directors want the visuals to tell the story. Radio can’t afford that. John Ireland has to describe the arc of Austin Reaves' shot, the sweat on Anthony Davis' brow, and the exact moment LeBron James decides to take over the game.
It’s fast. It’s frantic.
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Also, Mychal Thompson is a treasure. As a former Laker and a guy who has been around the league for decades, his perspective is completely different from a standard color commentator. He’ll talk about what the players are going to eat after the game or make some obscure reference to 1980s cinema right as the Lakers are trailing by ten. It keeps the mood light even when the team is bricking threes.
Breaking Down the SiriusXM Option
If you do a lot of long-distance driving, SiriusXM is the only way to go. No cell towers to worry about. No dropping signals when you hit a dead zone in the mountains.
- Channel 81 is usually the home for NBA Today and general coverage.
- The NBA Play-by-Play channels (usually in the 800s on the app or specific 200-series channels on the radio) will host the specific Lakers feed.
- You get the choice of the home or away broadcast.
The upside here is the "Lakers Channel" on SiriusXM often features pre-game and post-game shows that you won't find on a standard national broadcast. You get the local L.A. flavor even if you’re driving through the middle of Nebraska.
Dealing With Sync Issues
Here is a pro-tip for the real nerds: trying to sync the radio audio with the TV broadcast. We've all tried it. You mute the annoying national TV announcers and turn up the radio. But the radio is always 5 seconds ahead or 10 seconds behind. It’s maddening to hear "Slam Dunk!" on the radio and then wait six seconds to see it happen on your screen.
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If you are listening via a web browser, you can use certain Chrome extensions like Global Speed to pause and delay the audio stream. It takes some fiddling. You have to wait for the referee’s whistle, pause your audio, and then unpause it exactly when you see the whistle on the TV. It’s a labor of love, but once you get it synced, it’s the ultimate viewing experience.
The "Spanish Language" Factor
We can't talk about Lakers radio without mentioning Tu Liga Radio (1330 AM). Fernando González and Pepe Mantilla are legends in the Spanish-speaking community. Their "Goooool"-style energy for a big Lakers bucket is unmatched. Even if your Spanish is rusty, the passion in their broadcast is infectious. Sometimes, when the English broadcast feels a bit too analytical, switching over to 1330 AM is exactly what you need to feel the excitement of the game.
Common Problems When Trying to Listen
- VPN Issues: If you're using a VPN on your phone, the ESPN LA app might get confused about your location and block the stream. Turn it off before opening the app.
- Delay: Digital streams are always behind. If you're following a live betting app or Twitter (X), you're going to get spoiled. Put the phone down.
- Battery Drain: Streaming audio for three hours kills your phone battery faster than you'd think. Always have a charger if you're listening on the go.
- The "National" Game Blackout: If the game is on ABC or TNT, sometimes the local radio stream gets wonky on digital platforms. If the app isn't working, try a physical AM radio. It never fails.
The reality of 2026 is that broadcasting rights are a fragmented disaster. The days of a single, reliable source are gone. But if you have a couple of apps ready—specifically the Lakers official app, the ESPN LA app, and maybe a backup like NBA League Pass Audio—you’re covered for 82 games plus the playoffs.
Actionable Steps for the Next Tip-Off
Stop scrambling five minutes before the game starts. It’s stressful and you’ll miss the first quarter.
- Download the ESPN LA app now. Don't wait for game day. Open it, make sure it knows your location, and see if you can hear the regular talk shows. If those work, the game likely will too.
- Check the schedule. If it’s a national broadcast (ESPN, TNT, ABC), the radio feed is still local, but the digital rights might change.
- Buy a cheap transistor radio. Seriously. For $15, you can get a battery-powered radio. No data charges, no lag, no blackouts. It’s the "old school" way that still works better than the high-tech versions.
- Bookmark the Lakers' official radio schedule page. They update this frequently with which stations are carrying the game if 710 ESPN has a conflict (like a Dodgers or Rams game).
Listening to the game allows you to be part of the action without being tethered to a couch. You can garden, work out, or sit in traffic while hearing the squeak of the sneakers on the hardwood at Crypto.com Arena. It’s a different kind of intimacy with the game. Just make sure you’re prepared so you aren't stuck listening to static when the game is on the line in the fourth quarter.