Barring injury or anything unexpected, LeBron James will make his debut in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform on Opening Night of the 2026-27 NBA season.
The NBA revealed the games scheduled for the first day of its new season on Oct. 20, with James and the Sixers set to face the reigning champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
The 2026-27 NBA regular season will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with an NBC/Peacock tripleheader.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2026
• Celtics @ Pistons: The East’s top two teams in the 2025-26 regular season
• 76ers @ Knicks: New York begins its title defense as LeBron James and Jaylen Brown make their… pic.twitter.com/Mv9kNrtusi
In addition to being James’ first game with his new team, the showdown against Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will mark the start of his 24th NBA season — and the beginning of what could be his last campaign in the league.
James parted ways with the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons in Tinseltown and signed a 2-year, $7.94 million contract with the 76ers.
The Knicks will serve as a tough first test for the new-look Philly squad, which also acquired star forward Jaylen Brown from a trade with the Boston Celtics in July.
New York is coming off a drought-ending NBA title win, beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the 2026 NBA Finals for the franchise’s first league championship since 1973.
The Knicks are sure to get a hero’s welcome on Opening Night from their fans at MSG, and it’s James and the Sixers’ job to spoil New York’s evening and announce their presence as legitimate title contenders.
