Four-time MVP LeBron James’s first game as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers will take place on October 18 against the Portland Trailblazers according to the schedule for the 2018-2019 NBA season.

James, who signed a four-year, $153 million contract with the Lakers in July, will however make his home debut as a Laker against the Houston Rockets on October 20 before facing two-time defending champions Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

That game, which is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start, comes after Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers visit Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics (5:30 p.m.).

Also on the day James Harden, Chris Paul and the Rockets will host Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder (3 p.m. while the Utah Jazz entertain the Trailblazers in the final game of the day (10:30 p.m.).

The Christmas Day slate will begin with the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the New York Knicks.

The NBA season in the meantime tips-off on October 16 with the 76ers visiting the Celtics and the Warriors hosting the Thunder.

Other significant matchups in the NBA’s first week sees Boston visiting Kawhi Leonard and the new look Toronto Raptors and the Phoenix Suns with top overall pick Deandre Ayton facing fellow highly rated rookie Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

The full schedule for the 2018-19 season will be released Friday.