LeBron James is about to make his Philadelphia 76ers debut in the biggest way possible.
The NBA has announced its opening-night schedule for the 2026-27 season, and it couldn’t have set up a better first game for LeBron in Philly.
The 76ers will travel to Madison Square Garden on October 20 to face the defending champion New York Knicks.
And before the game even starts, the Knicks will raise their championship banner.
LeBron’s first game as a Sixer is going to be a little different and quite the challenge.
New York is coming off its first championship since 1973, with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks looking to defend their title.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia enters the season with an entirely different level of expectations after adding LeBron and Jaylen Brown to a roster that already features Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
A pair of doubleheaders on ESPN highlight opening week, including Giannis Antetokounmpo making his debut with the Miami Heat, against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 21.
The Golden State Warriors also play at the Los Angeles Lakers that day, with the Cleveland Cavaliers at 76ers and Nuggets at Thunder on Oct. 22.
Two more games to air Oct. 23 were also announced, Knicks at Celtics (7 p.m. ET) and Houston Rockets at Spurs (9:30 p.m.). The Rockets-Spurs game will be played at the Moody Center in Austin.
The league didn’t stop there.
The Christmas Day schedule was also announced, with five games on ABC and ESPN, including James facing his former Lakers team. Other matchups include: Spurs vs. Knicks, Heat vs. Celtics, Thunder vs. Wolves, and Denver Nuggets vs. Warriors.
LeBron’s return to Los Angeles is already lined up for Christmas Day, when the 76ers visit the Lakers.
So we’re getting LeBron’s Sixers debut against the defending champions on opening night, followed by his first game back in LA on Christmas.
Not a bad way to start what could be one of the most interesting seasons of his career.
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