Basketball is still more than two months away, but it’s time to start planning ahead.<\/p>\n
The 2026-27 NBA opening night games<\/a>, which will air on NBC and Peacock, were revealed on Tuesday as the league began to announce portions of its regular-season schedule.<\/p>\n As is tradition, the NBA has two prime-time matchups on the slate for opening night \u2014 including the defending champion raising a banner and three other title contenders taking the court. However, this year, there is an additional midday matchup to open the season.<\/p>\n Here’s a look at the three games for this year’s NBA Tip-Off:<\/p>\n Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons<\/p>\n The NBA season will begin a bit earlier than usual, with the Boston Celtics<\/a> and Detroit Pistons battling in a matinee matchup.<\/p>\n The teams were the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference standings last season, with the Pistons vaulting to the No. 1 seed and the Celtics coming in at No. 2.<\/p>\n Watch info: 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock<\/p>\n Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks<\/p>\n Two Atlantic division foes will face off on the first day of the season, and this game has added stakes.<\/p>\n On the Knicks’ side<\/a>, the franchise will raise its first championship banner<\/a> since 1973. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and the squad will put on their rings in front of what’s sure to be a raucous crowd<\/a> at Madison Square Garden. All five starters<\/a> from the championship team were retained this summer, with backup big Mitchell Robinson as the only rotation player departing<\/a>.<\/p>\n For Philadelphia, the city hopes this game will mark the beginning of their own title run. The Sixers<\/a> were the most aggressive team<\/a> over the offseason, trading away Paul George for Jaylen Brown<\/a> and signing LeBron James<\/a>. So, while this is a second-round rematch from last year’s playoffs, this game will look completely different than it did in May.<\/p>\n Watch info: 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFans of Jalen Brunson lined up and paid $1,000 for a photo with the New York Knicks star at Fanatics Fest. After the experience, we asked them if it was worth it.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n The most tightly-contested series of last season’s playoffs will be revisited on opening night.<\/p>\n The Spurs, fresh off a disappointing Finals loss to the Knicks, will begin their quest to defend the Western Conference title and get over the hump. San Antonio gave Victor Wembanyama<\/a> some extra help over the offseason — notably Tobias Harris. But the 2026-27 campaign will hinge on internal improvement for young rising stars like Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.<\/p>\n Oklahoma City will be out for revenge immediately, considering San Antonio took Game 7<\/a> on the Thunder’s home court and ended their repeat bid. Sam Presti had a busy offseason rebalancing the roster and shedding salary, cutting ties with key role players in Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>, meanwhile, is aiming to be the fourth player in NBA history<\/a> to win three straight MVPs (Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird).<\/p>\n Watch info: 10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJim Jackson calls into “The Dan Patrick Show” to discuss the Jordan vs. LeBron debate and what needs to go right for the Sixers this season.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Basketball is still more than two months away, but it’s time to start planning ahead. 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