NBA 2026/27: opening night, the new-look contenders and Jersey Day
The Knicks raise their first banner since 1973 on 20 October, LeBron James opens in Philadelphia colours, and the league runs its first-ever three-game tip-off. Here is the season, mapped.
Quick answers
- The 2026/27 NBA season tips off on Tuesday 20 October 2026 — the league’s 81st season.
- It is the first three-game tip-off tripleheader any network has ever broadcast (NBC/Peacock).
- The Knicks raise their championship banner before hosting Philadelphia — their first title since 1973.
- LeBron James makes his 76ers debut at Madison Square Garden; Jaylen Brown joined him from Boston.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo debuts for Miami on 21 October; LaMelo Ball is now a Timberwolf.
- NBA Jersey Day is on 19 October, the day before the season starts.
- The regular season ends on Sunday 11 April 2027, with all 30 teams playing.
The short answer. Three games on 20 October, all on NBC and Peacock: Boston at Detroit, Philadelphia at New York, and Oklahoma City at San Antonio. The middle game is the one that matters — the Knicks raise a banner for the first time in 53 years and then face a Philadelphia side rebuilt around LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. The nightcap is a rematch of a seven-game Western Conference Finals, and the league has never opened a season with three national games on one network before.
Opening night: the first tripleheader
All times Eastern.
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 | Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons | NBC / Peacock | The top two seeds in the East last season |
| 19:00 | Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks | NBC / Peacock | Banner night at MSG — and LeBron’s 76ers debut |
| 21:30 | Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs | NBC / Peacock | A rematch of the seven-game West Finals |
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The offseason that redrew the map
| Player | Move | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | Lakers → 76ers | His 24th season, in a fifth uniform — and the biggest name to change teams |
| Jaylen Brown | Celtics → 76ers | The 2024 Finals MVP joining Boston’s oldest rival |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks → Heat | Debuts 21 October; the East gets another contender |
| LaMelo Ball | Hornets → Timberwolves | A new point guard for Minnesota, who open at Miami on 21 October |
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The champions, and the job of repeating
New York won the 2025/26 title by going 16–3 through four rounds: sweeps of Philadelphia and Cleveland, then San Antonio in five. Jalen Brunson took Finals MVP, and the starting five — Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby — all return.
The context is the interesting part: there have been eight different champions in the last eight seasons, and the last team to repeat was Golden State in 2017 and 2018. New York are trying to do something nobody has managed in nine years.
Five things to watch
The first tripleheader
Two networks have never opened an NBA season with three games. Boston at Detroit tips at 15:00 ET, the Knicks raise the banner at 19:00, and Oklahoma City at San Antonio closes it at 21:30.
LeBron in Philadelphia
He considered a return to Cleveland before choosing the 76ers, and makes his home debut on 22 October against the Cavaliers. He turns 42 in December.
A West finals rematch on night one
San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 4-3 in last season’s Western Conference Finals — their first Finals trip in 12 years. The teams meet again on opening night.
Two MVPs and a DPOY in one game
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the last two MVP awards; Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year. Both are on the floor in the nightcap.
Jersey Day, 19 October
The seventh annual NBA Jersey Day falls the day before the season opens — the league asks fans to wear a jersey for 24 hours and tag their team. It is the simplest reason of the year to own one.
The dates that matter
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Mon 19 Oct 2026 | NBA Jersey Day (7th annual) |
| Tue 20 Oct 2026 | Season opens — tip-off tripleheader on NBC/Peacock |
| Wed 21 Oct 2026 | Giannis’s Heat debut (Minnesota at Miami); Warriors at Lakers |
| Thu 22 Oct 2026 | LeBron’s home debut (Cleveland at Philadelphia) |
| Fri 30 Oct 2026 | Emirates NBA Cup group play begins |
| Sun 11 Apr 2027 | Regular season ends — all 30 teams play |
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The shirts
Current jerseys for the clubs in the opening-week spotlight — printed names and numbers made to order, so order before Jersey Day if you want one in time.
Kevin Knox New York Knicks Swingman Jersey - Blue
Los Angeles Lakers Lakers O'NEAL #34 Throwback Purple 1999/00 Swingman NBA Jersey
Boston Celtics Fast Break Custom Jersey - Statement Edition - Black
Golden State Warriors Fast Break Custom Jersey - Statement Edition - Black
Philadelphia 76ers Pop Baseball Jersey, Black
Oklahoma City Thunder Custom Swingman Jersey - Icon Edition - Blue
When does the 2026/27 NBA season start?
Who won the 2026 NBA championship?
Where did LeBron James sign?
Which stars changed teams in 2026?
What is NBA Jersey Day?
When does the 2026/27 NBA regular season end?
Shop NBA jerseys before Jersey Day
Current jerseys for the clubs in the opening-week spotlight — printed names and numbers made to order.
Browse NBA jerseys