Knicks to Face LeBron James, 76ers in Title Defense Opener

The New York Knicks will raise their championship banner and open the 2026-27 NBA season against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20 at Madison Square Garden . The marquee matchup pits the defending champions against a revamped 76ers squad that added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown during the offseason . The NBA schedule began leaking Tuesday morning, with ESPN.com reporting the season-opening slate . The Knicks, who defeated the Spurs in five games to win the 2026 NBA Finals, will host James and the 76ers in the 7 p.m. ET game on NBC and Peacock . James signed with Philadelphia this offseason after a lengthy free agency period . The 76ers also traded for Celtics star Jaylen Brown, adding him to a core of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe . Philadelphia is expected to be among the Knicks' biggest challengers in the Eastern Conference . The other opening night game features the Spurs hosting the Thunder at 9:30 p.m. ET in a Western Conference Finals rematch . The Pistons will host the Celtics in a 3 p.m. matinee to begin the 2026-27 campaign . The Knicks' championship celebration will take place at Madison Square Garden to start the season. New York won its first NBA title since 1973 after defeating San Antonio in the 2026 Finals . The full NBA schedule is expected to be released later this week . The Christmas Day schedule includes an NBA Finals rematch between the Spurs and Knicks at Madison Square Garden at noon, followed by the Celtics hosting Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat at 2:30 p.m. . James and the 76ers visit the Lakers in Los Angeles at 5 p.m., the Thunder face the Timberwolves at 8 p.m., and the Nuggets face the Warriors at 10:30 p.m.