The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced, on August 11, 2026, the first games that will mark the start of the new season and the traditional Christmas round. Among the highlights, the New York Knicks, current title holders, will open the day facing the Philadelphia 76ers, who now have star LeBron James in their lineup, on the night of October 20th.
Conflict of champions and LeBron James’ long-awaited debut with the 76ers
The highly anticipated match between the Knicks and 76ers is scheduled for 7pm (ET), promising a high-profile clash in the league. This will be 41-year-old LeBron James’ first game with the Philadelphia 76ers after signing for two years and $8 million in July. The reunion has a special flavor, as the Knicks eliminated the 76ers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. Joel Embiid and LeBron James will form a duo that seeks to reverse the recent history.
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Other early clashes in the opening of the NBA season
The opening round is not limited to this big game, with a triple schedule on October 20th. The Boston Celtics will play the first duel of the day against the Detroit Pistons, at 3 pm (Eastern Time). Then, to cap off the night, the Oklahoma City Thunder will face the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET, a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals.
In the previous season, the Celtics were eliminated early in the first round of the playoffs, while the Pistons managed to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The San Antonio Spurs overcame the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven exciting games in the Western Conference Finals.
NBA opening weeks with special broadcasts
The league’s opening week will also include double rounds broadcast by major broadcasters. On October 21, ESPN will show Giannis Antetokounmpo’s debut for the Miami Heat against the Minnesota Timberwolves, in addition to the clash between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. The following day, October 22, fans will be able to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets play the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Knicks vs. Celtics (7 p.m. ET)
- Houston Rockets vs. Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET)
Christmas tradition in the NBA: Knicks and LeBron break records
The Christmas schedule was also revealed, with five games to be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. One of the highlights is LeBron James’ clash against his former team, the Lakers.
- Spurs vs Knicks
- Heat x Celtics
- Thunder x Wolves
- Denver Nuggets x Warriors
The Knicks will play their 59th Christmas game, an NBA all-time record that dates back to 1947, when the league held its first Christmas game at Madison Square Garden. The last time New York hosted San Antonio on Christmas was in 2024, where Victor Wembanyama, in his holiday debut, set a Spurs record with 42 points and 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in a loss to the Knicks, fueled by Mikal Bridges’ 41 points.
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LeBron James will make his 21st appearance on Christmas, in his 24th season in the NBA, consolidating yet another personal record.
Stars featured in the league’s Christmas festivities
In addition to the record holders, other league stars will also be present at the Christmas matches. Anthony Edwards, star of the Minnesota Timberwolves, will play his third game on this festive day. Luka Doncic, the main player of the Los Angeles Lakers, will make his sixth appearance in Christmas games. The full season schedule is expected to be released at a future date.