The Lakers are already arguably the most famous and iconic franchise in NBA history. That is why it was fitting that arguably the NBA’s most famous and iconic active player was playing in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James waves to the crowd during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards. USA TODAY Sports
But now LeBron is gone, which is a hit to the team’s star power and cultural impact. And that seemed to manifest with the NBA schedule for next season, which was releasedin part on Tuesday morning.
The Lakers aren’t playing on the NBA’s Opening Night for the first time in eight seasons. The last time this was the case was in 2019—which was the first season LeBron James was on the Lakers’ Opening Night roster.
This reveals a tough pill that the Lakers’ franchise and fan base must swallow: their team isn’t as must-see as they were with LeBron.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts on the court during the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks game. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Not to mention that the Lakers’ season opener is against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on October 21 at Crypto.com Arena. That’s still a massive matchup, even without LeBron, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that California showdown draw more viewership than any of the Opening Night games.
LeBron’s 76ers squad will face the defending NBA champion New York Knicks on Opening Night as well. That game will probably have the Lakers beat, because that’s the LeBron James effect.
Season's greetings from the NBA, who gifted us all with future cheer as LeBron James will make his return to the West Coast for a game against Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day.
James spent eight seasons with the Lakers before departing during the offseason as a free agent.
After 24 days, he committed to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, July 24, over teams such as the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.
James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option for the 2027-28 season.
James and the Sixers head west amid a packed NBA Christmas Day schedule. It will be LeBron's 21st Christmas game and comes as the perfect headline for the holiday.
It will be nestled just after the Heat take on the Celtics and will be followed by the Thunder taking on the Timberwolves. Here is the day's slate of games. All times Eastern.
James produced a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes of play during his last appearance for the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on May 11 in a 115-110 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luka Doncic did not play in the game due to injury.
After the Western Conference semifinal series, James stated that he needed to think about his future and was unsure of his plan.
“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James shared on his social media accounts on July 24. “I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game.
“I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 10: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ahead of the full 2026-27 NBA schedule release Thursday, we now know a few of the marquee games for the Sixers this season.
LeBron James returns to Los Angeles on Christmas Day for Sixers-Lakers. Home opener against the Cavs. pic.twitter.com/EnV6cMui1r
The Sixers begin the season at MSG against the defending champion New York Knicks. They’ll also take on two of LeBron James’ former teams — the home opener is against the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Sixers will be in Los Angeles for Christmas in a primetime matchup with the Lakers.
It’s a little surprising we didn’t see a matchup with the Boston Celtics, especially when Jaylen Brown returns to TD Garden for the first time as a Sixer. That almost felt like a lock for Christmas Day. Alas, we’ll have to wait to find out when Brown gets his first crack at a revenge game.
Any thoughts on these games or any other Sixers questions? Drop them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer as many as possible!
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 18: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers will be featured front and center on the Christmas Day schedule against a new opponent, but a familiar face.
LeBron James’ return to Los Angeles will highlight the special day of games as Los Angeles will host the 76ers in the middle of the five-game slate. The league announced the games for Christmas and the opening week on Tuesday morning.
The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) for the 19th consecutive year, with ABC and ESPN both televising each matchup.
Highlights include the first meeting between the Knicks and Spurs since the 2026 NBA Finals, as well as new 76er LeBron James’ return… pic.twitter.com/CgWdaaFJXN
This will be the 28th consecutive season the purple and gold feature on the Christmas schedule. However, it will be just the second time they have faced the Sixers on Christmas. However, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
There will be few games more notable or marquee for the Lakers this season than LeBron’s return to LA. While there were other games based on competition or rivalries that the league could have slotted the Lakers into, no game will have more narratives or storylines around it.
Aside from the LeBron aspect of this, it’ll also be a meeting between, presumably, two of the best teams in the league. The Lakers will be led by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves still while the Sixers were arguably the biggest winners of the offseason by stealing Jaylen Brown from the Celtics.
Outside of that contest, an NBA Finals rematch will start the day as the Knicks host the Spurs. The Celtics will host the Heat in the precursor to the Lakers-Sixers. The Thunder will face the Wolves with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards before the nightcap of the Warriors and Nuggets.
Left off Opening Night slate
For the first time since the beginning of the LeBron James era, the Lakers will not play on Opening Night. Between the Knicks getting their rings and a rematch of the Thunder and Spurs, the purple and gold were left off the slate on the league’s first night of games.
Instead, LA will open against the Warriors at home a day later.
The first four days of the 2026-27 NBA regular season will feature nine national games across NBC/Peacock, ESPN and Prime Video.
In recent years, the league pulled the Lakers-Warriors card whenever they needed a ratings bump. But the LeBron-Steph Curry rivalry isn’t there anymore, so we’ll see how much weight a Luka-led showdown carries.
Fans won’t have to wait long, though, to see the new-look Lakers in official action in what will be the exciting first step into a new era of LA basketball.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 08: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 08, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026-27 NBA schedule is slowly leaking out before it is fully released on Thursday. So far, we know about the opening night triple-header, which includes the New York Knicks getting their championship rings in front of LeBron James in his Philadelphia 76ers debut, and also another San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder showdown. For as good as opening night is, the Christmas schedule is even better.
So many of the league’s biggest stars will be on display on Christmas day, from Victor Wembanyama to LeBron James to Giannis Antetokounmpo to Luka Doncic to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Anthony Edwards to Nikola Jokic to Stephen Curry. There’s five games on the Christmas slate, and not even the biggest NBA diehard can watch them all. We’re here to help.
Let’s rank every game on Christmas day from least-watchable to most-watchable. It’s never too early to start planning your holiday so you can fit in some basketball.
5. Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors at 10:30 p.m. ET
Curry and Jokic are always brilliant. So why is this game last? The late night start time is the first factor, because after a long day with family it might be hard to make it through this game for those on Eastern or Central time. There’s also the pesky fact that both of these franchises feel like they’re going in the wrong direction. I see the Warriors as a lottery team in our early power rankings, and they’re already talking about this season like a gap year. The Nuggets just got bounced in the first-round of the playoffs, and haven’t done anything to improve the team over the summer. I might look like a fool for this ranking when Curry and Jokic pop off, but for now I’m putting this as the skippable Christmas game.
4. Miami Heat at Boston Celtics at 2:30 p.m. ET
The Boston Celtics almost traded for Giannis this summer. The Miami Heat actually did. This is another chapter in the defining rivalry of the Eastern Conference in the 2020s with both franchises still in the early stages of retooling after some big offseason moves. The best thing about Heat-Celtics is that each team has an entrenched identity. Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics are the ultimate math-ball team, and will be bombing away from three. Erik Spoelstra’s Miami squad is defined by Heat Culture, with toughness and defense taking centerstage. This should be a good contrast of styles in the early afternoon session.
3. Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers at 5 p.m.
LeBron goes back to LA for Christmas to see family and play his former team, the Lakers. This game should feature tons of offense, with James, Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and maybe Joel Embiid running up the score as Luka and Austin Reaves try to keep pace. New Lakers center Walker Kessler is going to be fighting for his life to try to keep Philly away from the rim, but that’s where Maxey’s movement shooting can get you. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Luka pick apart what should be a spotty Philly defense, especially if Embiid is out. This one should have plenty of fireworks.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves at 8 p.m.
The Wolves traded for LaMelo Ball over the offseason, in the process making a bold bet that the best way to try to take down the Thunder and Spurs is with high-volume pull-up three-point shooting. Ball and Anthony Edwards are among the best off-the-dribble shooters from deep in the league, and it will be fascinating to see them try to solve the might OKC defense with tough shot-making. I’m also interested in seeing how Chet Holmgren responds in a spotlight game. He has been excellent when he’s not playing Victor Wembanyama, but it feels like he needs to re-establish himself as an elite player this season after such a terrible performance in the Western Conference Finals. This is also a big opportunity for the Thunder youngsters like Bennett Stirtz, Nikola Topic, and Aday Mara in a national TV game against an elite opponent. I predict we see this series in the playoffs, and not in the first round.
1. San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks at noon
The Knicks always seem to have the noon game on Christmas, and this year it’s an NBA Finals rematch. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs head back to Madison Square Garden to try to avenge their frustrating Finals loss from last season, and both rosters mostly remain intact. All eyes will be on Wemby as he tries to take over in the Garden, but it sure feels like the Knicks unlocked something special last season that could sustain into this year. The Finals might have ended in five games, but that was some of the best basketball we’ve witnessed since LeBron led the 3-1 comeback over the Warriors in 2016. I can’t wait to see the next chapter.
DALLAS, TX - MAY 26: Anthony Edwards #5, Kyle Anderson, and Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk to the media after the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Timberwolves fans and fans across the country.
As the Minnesota Timberwolves are across the Atlantic enjoying team bonding time in France, it feels good to see that somebod(ies) is taking a leadership role this offseason.
However, once the season begins, will there still be the calming voice to help guide the ship? Who’s going to break the huddles in Mike Conley’s absence? Who’s going to make wisecracks from down the tunnel without Joe Ingles? Who will test Rudy Gobert’s boxing skills in a timeout now that Kyle Anderson is gone? All important questions.
With a couple empty roster spots available, would it be wise to use those on more depth pieces, or find a wily Master Splinter to sit on the bench all year?
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 18: Cade Cunningham #2 and Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons look on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 18, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
NBA scheduling details are starting to trickle out, and it looks like the Detroit Pistons will be kicking off the season in a big way — by playing in the first game of the season league-wide as part of an opening night triple-header.
Detroit is set to face off against the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference showdown at 3 p.m. on Oct. 20 in a nationally televised game on NBC. Set your work schedules accordingly.
That will be followed up by two primetime games — the Philadelphia 76ers vs. the New York Knicks, aka LeBron, Jaylen Brown, and the new-look Sixers against the reigning NBA champions. Finally, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will face off to try and set the standard of who will rule the Western Conference.
The Pistons starting the season is quite the glow-up after having the NBA’s worst record just one year ago. Detroit is coming off of a 60-win season and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham will get an opportunity to show a huge NBA audience thirsty for real basketball that he’s one of the 5-10 best players in the league, and that his team has no intention of taking a step back.
That might be news to many NBA watchers, as Detroit’s offseason has not been looked upon fondly while other teams in the East like the Sixers, Heat, Raptors, Hawks, and Celtics are making major moves, and the Knicks, Cavs, Magic, and Hornets are looking to build on last season’s varying levels of success.
But what will hopefully be readily apparent to everyone involved is that surrounding a great player with shooting makes him even better. As good as the Pistons were last season, they didn’t quite have that. They had Duncan Robinson, one of the league’s best marksmen, and he returns. But they’ve doubled down on that with the addition of Isaiah Joe, who isn’t far behind Robinson in skill level. They’ve also added John Collins, who can attack the rim and nail shots from the perimeter at a high level.
It will also be a chance for Ausar Thompson to take his next step toward being a star player, which is the trajectory I think he is destined for. Already probably the league’s best perimeter defender, he isn’t near his ceiling, and he continues to put in the work to try and to turn his offensive repertoire into something that consistently helps his team.
Will Jalen Duren be back? Likely. Catching lobs, slamming putbacks, and having a sneaky level of finesse and footwork to dominate down low. It’s the ingredients for a fun basketball team. The ingredients for a winning basketball team. And I’m glad the NBA will get to see it right off the bat.
The Lakers will see a familiar face for its annual Christmas Day game this season.
LeBron James, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last month, will be making his return to Los Angeles on Dec. 25 when the Lakers host Philadelphia at Crypto.com Arena, the NBA revealed Tuesday morning in what it called a “sneak peek” of the 2026-27 schedule. The game is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. on ESPN and ABC.
The full schedule will be revealed Thursday.
The league also unveiled its opening week slate, with the Lakers set to open the season by hosting the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21 in a game scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN.
James, entering an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA, will also figure prominently in the opening week broadcast schedule as the 76ers will take on the New York Knicks on Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden on NBC and Peacock. The game will be James’ first with his new team and will feature the Knicks raising a banner to mark their first NBA championship since 1973.
Two days later, the 76ers will play their home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that drafted James in 2003, in game that will be broadcast on ESPN.
James’ new team was always going to have a prominent place on the schedule, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver even said last month that he wanted league’s career scoring leader to announce his decision because teams and networks were calling to ask when the schedule would be completed.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA has begun releasing the 2026-2027 schedule, beginning with the opening week and Christmas match-ups today. They’re wasting no time in getting the Spurs back against their opponents of the final two rounds of the playoffs, beginning with a Western Conference Finals rematch against Oklahoma City Thunder at home on opening night. Tip-off will be at 8:30 CT on NBC and Peacock.
It will follow the Knicks raising the banner and hosting the new-look 76ers (rumor has it the NBA was pushing LeBron James to make his Decision 4.0 so they could get on with this, so he purposefully delayed his announcement to join the 76ers by a week to spite them), although for some reason the true season opener is between Celtics and Pistons four hours earlier at 2:00 PM CT. (Won’t everyone be at work?)
A CAN'T-MISS TRIPLEHEADER TO OPEN THE SEASON.
🍿 Jayson Tatum, Paul George and the Celtics visit Cade Cunningham and last year's top-seeded Pistons
🍿 LeBron James and Jaylen Brown make Sixers debuts vs. Jalen Brunson and the Knicks on their championship banner raising night at… pic.twitter.com/jazcOOP8PB
If you’re like me and are still recovering from all the 8:30 (closer to 9) tipoff times from the playoffs, too bad! Because the Spurs will get another one three days later, as they will host the Houston Rockets in that timeslot on October 23, which will be streamed on Prime. (At least it’s on a Friday!) This will also be one of their four home games in the Moody Center in Austin and will be a homecoming of sorts for Kevin Durant, who went to the University of Texas for his lone college season. (To be honest, I’m not a fan of taking a rivalry game out of San Antonio, but maybe that’s just me.)
While we can finally say “at least the Spurs aren’t opening against the Mavs for the fourth year in a row,” one game that does feel a bit repetitive is Christmas in Madison Square Garden. And not just because the Spurs got more than enough of the Knicks in the Finals (which will add another level to this game), but it’s also a repeat of two years ago, when Victor Wembanyama made his Christmas debut in MSG. Despite him putting on a show with 42 points and 18 rebounds, the Spurs came up just short after blowing a late lead. (Sound familiar?) Tip-off will be at 11 AM CT on ABC and ESPN.
Which NBA Christmas matchup are you most hyped for?🎄
🎁 Spurs-Knicks at 12 PM ET 🎁 Heat-Celtics at 2:30 PM ET 🎁 76ers-Lakers at 5 PM ET 🎁 Thunder-Timberwolves at 8 PM ET 🎁 Nuggets-Warriors at 10:30 PM ET pic.twitter.com/9uwr849kYf
It will be followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat at Celtics, LeBron’s return to LA with the 76ers at Lakers, Thunder at Timberwolves, who surprisingly traded for LaMelo Ball, and what very well may be the bummer match-up of the day between two aging teams who did nothing to get better over the offseason with the Nuggets visiting the Warriors.
The NBA Cup groups and tournament schedules will be released tomorrow, and the complete regular season schedule for all 30 teams will be released on Thursday at 2:00 CT time. (If you feel the need to watch it, it will be on ESPN 2.) What do you think about these big-day match-ups, Pounders?
In what will come as a surprise to no one, the Knicks will host LeBron James and the new-look 76ers to open the 2026-27 NBA season on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
Before the game against Philadelphia, the Knicks will raise their 2025-26 NBA championship banner to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.
Beyond signing James this offseason, the Sixers traded for Jaylen Brown. Their starting lineup now features James, Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe.
It was also revealed on Tuesday that the Knicks will host the Spurs on Christmas Day in an NBA Finals rematch, in a game that will tip off at 12 p.m.
As the Knicks look to repeat as champions, they will return the same starting lineup that toppled San Antonio in the Finals -- Jalen Brunson,Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges.
The ultimate present for NBA fans will feature a host of the league's marquee teams. The matchups, announced on Tuesday, Aug. 11, are highlighted by LeBron James making his return to Los Angeles to face his former team, the Lakers.
🎁 Wemby, Spurs visit Brunson and the defending champion Knicks in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals 🎁 Tatum, Celtics host Giannis and the Heat in Beantown 🎁 LeBron returns to LA to face Luka and the Lakers 🎁 Shai and Ant go… pic.twitter.com/njuWV146ym
They’ll host the Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21 in both team’s season opener as part of ESPN’s opening-week doubleheader on the second day of the regular season.
The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. PT tipoff.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers is double-teamed by Gary Payton II and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on Feb. 28, 2026. Getty Images
The matchup will also mark the first time since the 2018-19 season, James’ first season with the franchise, that the Lakers weren’t featured on the league’s Opening Night.
Celtics at Pistons, 76ers at Knicks and Thunder at Spurs are scheduled for Oct. 20 as part of a NBC/Peacock Opening Night triple-header.
Lakers-Warriors will be proceeded by Timberwolves at Heat in the team debuts for LaMelo Ball (Minnesota) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami) to kick off the ESPN doubleheader.
This season will mark the second straight season and the fourth time in the last six years the Lakers and Warriors played each other for their season openers.
The Warriors won each of the previous three season-opening matchups.
This will mark the seventh time in eight seasons the Lakers will play their first game of the season in California, with their Opening Night matchup against the Nuggets in 2023 being the lone exception.
The league will release the NBA Cup Group Play schedule on Wednesday before announcing the entire schedule at noon on Thursday.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 26, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics will tip off the 2026-2027 NBA season on the road against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, October 20th at 3pm ET, the NBA has announced.
It’s the first in a three-game slate, followed by games at the Philadelphia 76ers visiting the New York Knicks at 7pm ET and the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30pm ET. That means Boston will take part in the first official game of the regular season.
The Celtics will then host the Knicks on Friday, October 23rd at 7pm ET for their home opener.
The first four days of the 2026-27 NBA regular season will feature nine national games across NBC/Peacock, ESPN and Prime Video.
The Celtics will host the Miami Heat on Christmas Day
The NBA also announced the league’s Christmas Day schedule, and the Celtics will host the new-look Miami Heat in the second game of the day, at 2:30pm ET. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and the rest of the squad will face Jayson Tatum and the Celtics at TD Garden.
The rest of the slate includes San Antonio Spurs @ New York Knicks at 12pm ET, Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers at 5pm ET, Oklahoma City Thunder @ Minnesota Timberwolves at 8pm ET, and Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors at 10:30pm ET.
The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) for the 19th consecutive year, with ABC and ESPN both televising each matchup.
Highlights include the first meeting between the Knicks and Spurs since the 2026 NBA Finals, as well as new 76er LeBron James’ return… pic.twitter.com/CgWdaaFJXN
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense on Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The two biggest regular season games of the defending champion New York Knicks’ schedule have been released, as the NBA revealed Tuesday morning on Good Morning America that the Knicks would open their season by raising the banner on October 20th against the Philadelphia 76ers before squaring off with the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA Finals rematch at MSG on Christmas Day.
The Ring Night matchup against the Sixers was not something that many saw coming after the season concluded, but Philly’s two blockbuster moves to acquire Jaylen Brown and LeBron James moved them to the front of the line to open their season at the World’s Most Famous Arena with their new-look roster.
Weirdly, they will not be the first game of the NBA season, as the league decided to put Pistons-Celtics at 3pm on a Tuesday for some reason, marking the first time since 2022-23 the defending champions weren’t playing the first game of the league calendar.
As for Christmas, it’s the juiciest possible matchup between the two teams with probably the best inter-conference rivalry in basketball (Celtics-Lakers hasn’t had that feel in a while). Classic matchups the last three years that included Brunson’s 60-point game, Wembanyama’s 40-20, a Christmas 2024 clash, Champagnie’s barrage of threes on NYE 2025, the 2025 NBA Cup Final, and of course, the 2026 NBA Finals, the most viewed finals since Michael Jordan still roamed.
It’s the sixth consecutive year the Knicks will be playing at Madison Square Garden on Christmas, expanding their lead on all-time appearances to 59. It’s the 11th consecutive time they’ll be playing at MSG, dating back to a clash at Staples Center with the Lakers in 2012-13. Before that, the last time the Knicks spent Christmas on the road was 1999 against Indiana. It will also likely be the 10th consecutive noon appearance for the Knicks, because let’s be real.
It’s also a return of something that a lot of fans clamor for every year. It’s the first time since 2018 that Christmas features an NBA Finals rematch, something not seen since the Cavs and Warriors did it three straight years. The lack of true juice in the Finals can contribute to that feeling, but we definitely have a rivalry here to sink our teeth into.
The other matchups on these two nights include the Western Conference champion Spurs hosting the 2025 NBA champion OKC Thunder on Opening Night. On Christmas, it’s Giannis and the Heat heading to Boston to face Jayson Tatum and the Celtics, LeBron returning to Los Angeles to play his former team, the Thunder visiting Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, and Nikola Jokic squaring off with Steph Curry in the Bay Area.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 10: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks plays defense during the game against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joining a talented Philadelphia 76ers core that now has legitimate championship aspirations, attention around this Sixers season is going to be ratcheted up to the maximum. We already heard they’ll be slated for the maximum allotted nationally televised games during the upcoming 2026-27 regular season. Tuesday morning, we received news of a few of those high-profile events.
The NBA’s Christmas Day schedule is headlined by LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers visiting Los Angeles to face the Luka Dončić-led Lakers and a Spurs-at-Knicks NBA Finals rematch.
The Sixers will open the season on Tuesday, October 20 at Madison Square Garden against the defending champion New York Knicks. While I don’t relish the idea of seeing a banner-raising ceremony in front of a cheering arena of Knicks fans, a Sixers win to kick off this new era would provide a small measure of consolation. Some are calling this one the Ariel Hukporti revenge game.
Philadelphia’s home opener will be on Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 pm ET against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Jaylen Brown and LeBron James taking the court in Philadelphia for the first time as Sixers (not counting possible preseason appearances), those tickets are sure to be sold out and highly sought after on the secondary markets. James Harden in the building should provide some interesting Sliding Doors-like thoughts to run through our heads.
Later, the Sixers will make their return to Christmas Day action as they head west to take on the Lakers in Los Angeles. It will be LeBron’s first time playing against the Lakers since the 2017-18 season during his second stint with the Cavaliers. I would imagine this game will be at or near the beginning of Philadelphia’s annual Disney on Ice road trip. Seeing the Sixers square up against Luka Doncic should be one fun final present to unwrap that day.
The only surprise is not seeing the Sixers up against the Boston Celtics in one of these slates for the Jaylen Brown return narrative. Regardless, I’m sure the league will have at least a couple juicy viewing windows across the four meetings between the clubs this season, and these already announced games have plenty of fun star power and storylines. Basketball is nearly back!
