The champion awaits LeBron: Knicks vs. Philadelphia on NBA opening night

The NBA is beginning to reveal the schedule for the 2026/27 season, and from the very first night, it is clear that the league intends to provide fans with plenty of interest. The new season will kick off on October 20 with a triple-header, which will include three central games. Leading the way is the debut appearance of LeBron James in a Philadelphia uniform, as they visit the champion, New York Knicks, at Madison Square Garden. That same evening, the Knicks are expected to receive their championship rings after completing their first title win in 53 years last season.

Philadelphia's first home game will also be intriguing, as on October 22 they will host the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team where LeBron played in two different stints and won a historic championship with in 2016. The second game that will attract a lot of attention will pit the San Antonio Spurs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals. San Antonio, led by Victor Wembanyama, overcame the 2025 champion in a dramatic series that lasted seven games. The Spurs went on from there to the NBA Finals, and now the two teams will meet again in the very first game of the season. The first game on opening night will be the meeting between the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics.

The day after opening night, Giannis Antetokounmpo will make his debut for the Miami Heat, who will host the Minnesota Timberwolves with their new point guard – LaMelo Ball. That same evening, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers will also meet.

LeBron vs. the Lakers on Christmas

If opening night is impressive, the Christmas schedule is no less intriguing. One of the central games on December 25 will be the meeting between Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Lakers – the team where LeBron played from 2018 until last summer. LeBron will face his former team for the first time in a Christmas game, in what is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about games of the season. For the 41-year-old star, this will be his 20th consecutive Christmas game, after making his debut in Christmas games as an 18-year-old rookie.

The NBA Cup will begin on October 30, with the final game to be held on December 11 at the Butler Fieldhouse arena at Butler University in Indianapolis. For the first time, the tournament's final game will not be held in Las Vegas, and the semi-finals will also move to be held at the teams' home arenas.