NBA schedule release: LeBron vs. Knicks on opening night, Lakers on Christmas

The NBA has released its 2026-27 schedule, featuring LeBron James making his Philadelphia 76ers debut against the reigning champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Opening Night, October 20. The Sixers will also face James's former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Christmas Day, while Philadelphia's first home game on October 22 will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The season opener will be a triple-header, also including the San Antonio Spurs hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference Finals rematch at 9:30 p.m. ET.