The NBA has officially released its full 2026-27 schedule, and January is shaping up to be the month of reunions with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown set to headline.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will make his highly anticipated return to Milwaukee on Jan. 28 when the Miami Heat visit the Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
The former two-time MVP spent his first 13 NBA seasons in Milwaukee, highlighted by leading the franchise to the 2021 championship, before being dealt to Miami in a blockbuster trade.
The matchup will also reunite Bam Adebayo with former Heat teammate Tyler Herro, who was sent to Milwaukee alongside Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the Antetokounmpo deal. Herro and Adebayo were involved in an altercation during Summer League in Las Vegas, when Adebayo struck his former teammate, according to ESPN.
Herro, Ware and Jaquez will then make their own return to Miami when the Bucks visit the Heat on Feb. 4.
Another huge homecoming arrives one week earlier when Jaylen Brown returns to TD Garden on Jan. 21 as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brown spent his first 10 seasons in Boston before the Celtics traded him within the Atlantic Division for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round selections. The 2024 Finals MVP averaged a career-best 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season.
Brown’s return will share the spotlight with LeBron James, who will also face Boston as a Sixer for the first time.
Elsewhere, LaMelo Ball will face his former Charlotte Hornets teammates when they visit Minnesota on Jan. 29. Ball’s return to Charlotte is scheduled for Feb. 15.
Trae Young will finally get the opportunity to play in Atlanta as an opponent on Nov. 6 after missing his previous return through injury.
The schedule also features some major young-star matchups. No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa will make his NBA debut for Washington against Milwaukee on Oct. 21 before facing No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson on Feb. 27.
Dybantsa will then meet 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg for the first time when Washington visits Dallas on March 11.
Meanwhile, the defending champion New York Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA Finals rematch on Christmas Day before the teams meet again in San Antonio on March 7.
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