The New York Knicks will raise their 2025-26 NBA championship banner as part of a triple-header to tip off the 2026-27 regular season.

The defending champions, however, will have to share the spotlight at Madison Square Garden.

LeBron James' first game in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform will come against the Knicks on October 20 on the first day of the regular season, the NBA announced on Tuesday.

The season tips off earlier in the day with the Boston Celtics visiting the Detroit Pistons and the triple-header concludes with two-time reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder facing Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in a Western Conference finals rematch.

 

A CAN'T-MISS TRIPLEHEADER TO OPEN THE SEASON.

Jayson Tatum, Paul George and the Celtics visit Cade Cunningham and last year's top-seeded Pistons

LeBron James and Jaylen Brown make Sixers debuts vs. Jalen Brunson and the Knicks on their championship banner raising night at… pic.twitter.com/jazcOOP8PB

— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2026

The NBA also revealed its Christmas Day schedule, beginning with an NBA finals rematch between the Spurs and Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This will be New York's 59th game on Christmas.

The five-game slate continues with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat visiting the Celtics, followed by James making a return to Los Angeles with a game against the Lakers in what would be his 21st game on Christmas. The Thunder then visit the Minnesota Timberwolves and the showcase wraps up with the Golden State Warriors hosting the Denver Nuggets.

 

A LOADED CHRISTMAS DAY on ABC & ESPN!

Wemby, Spurs visit Brunson and the defending champion Knicks in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals
Tatum, Celtics host Giannis and the Heat in Beantown
LeBron returns to LA to face Luka and the Lakers
Shai and Ant go… pic.twitter.com/njuWV146ym

— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2026

The full schedule will be released on Thursday, but the NBA did announce some other games for the opening week.

James and fellow new 76er Jaylen Brown will play their first home game for Philadelphia on October 22 against one of James' former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later that day, the Nuggets will visit the Thunder.

On October 21, the Timberwolves face the Heat and the Warriors and Lakers clash, and on October 23, Jalen Brunson and New York visits Boston and the Houston Rockets travel to San Antonio.

 

OPENING WEEK IS MUST-SEE

NBA Champions raise a banner. Superstars debut with new teams. Rivalries pick up where they left off.

The 2026-27 NBA season tips off Tuesday, October 20. Watch all the action on NBC/Peacock, ESPN and Prime.

NBA Schedule Release presented by… pic.twitter.com/xm6FmyJjyK

— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2026