LeBron James to Face Knicks on NBA Opening Night, Lakers on Christmas Day

LeBron James will make his Philadelphia 76ers debut against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20, opening night of the 2026/27 NBA season.

The four-time NBA champion will also return to Los Angeles on Christmas Day when the 76ers face his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

James, who joined Philadelphia in July, will play his first home game for the Sixers against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 22.

Other opening-night fixtures include Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs.

The Christmas Day schedule will also feature San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks, Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors.

The NBA will further take the game to Europe, with the New Orleans Pelicans facing the San Antonio Spurs in Paris on January 14 and Manchester on January 17.