Lakers PA announcer Lawrence Tanter will miss Friday's game
Lawrence Tanter, the Lakers' iconic public address announcer, will be absent for the team's matchup on Friday versus the Nets.
For decades, Lawrence Tanter has been part of the Los Angeles Lakers ' soundtrack, so to speak. He has been the team's public address announcer during home games since the 1982-83 season, and he has been strongly associated with it since early in the Showtime era. He may not be nearly as energetic as most other public address announcers, but his deep voice is unmistakable and instantly recognizable to loyal Lakers fans.
However, he will not be in his familiar seat for Friday's game between the Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto. com Arena for health reasons. Jason Barquero will fill in for him, and the franchise issued a statement about the 76-year-old's absence.
Statement from the Lakers on the absence of their longtime public address announcer, Lawrence Tanter, tonight against the Brooklyn Nets. Tanter, 76, has been the Lakers’ PA announcer since the 1982-83 season. pic.
twitter. com/C91GASaQAX — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 27, 2026 The Lakers have nine regular-season games remaining, and six of them will be at home. Their next contest will take place on Monday versus the Washington Wizards, and the following night, they will host the Cleveland Cavaliers before they have a quick two-game road trip where they will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.