NBA season opens with LeBron James debuting for 76ers vs champion Knicks
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The gist
The 2026-27 NBA season opens with a first-ever NBC tripleheader, headlined by LeBron James's 76ers debut at the champion Knicks.
James and Giannis Antetokounmpo both start with new teams, reshaping the title race.
Background
LeBron James, the NBA star who left the Lakers, makes his regular-season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, where Jaylen Brown also debuts. Giannis Antetokounmpo likewise begins with the Miami Heat. Opening night is also the defending champion New York Knicks' ring and banner ceremony, and the season brings new officiating priorities (including flopping penalties) and a 3-2-1 Lottery format starting with the 2027 draft.
How it unfolded
- Oct 20, 2026The 2026-27 season opens with the first-ever NBA on NBC Tip-Off Tripleheader: Celtics vs. Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, 76ers vs. Knicks at 7 p.m. ET, and Thunder vs. Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET.
- Oct 20, 2026The defending champion Knicks hold their ring and banner ceremony at 6:30 p.m., and NBA Showtime debuts at 6:30 p.m. ET hosted by Maria Taylor with Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
- Oct 20, 2026LeBron James and Jaylen Brown make their 76ers debuts in Philadelphia's game at New York; the Spurs host the Thunder in a rematch of last season's seven-game Western Conference Finals.
- Oct 21, 2026ESPN's coverage opens with Timberwolves vs. Heat, including Giannis Antetokounmpo's Miami debut, and Warriors vs. Lakers; DAZN's regular-season coverage also begins.
- Oct 24, 2026The Cavaliers play their home opener against the Brooklyn Nets.
- Oct 25, 2026The Knicks make their first DAZN appearance, hosting the Magic at Madison Square Garden.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- The Athletic's NBA writers give Oklahoma City and San Antonio 13 championship votes apiece, with the rest of the league combining for four, and favor Philadelphia out of the East.
- Caution
- An Athletic contributor questions whether referees will keep enforcing the new points of emphasis, saying such emphases rarely last past December.
Still unverified
An Athletic contributor said referees are "allegedly not allowing push-offs from offensive players."