The NBA's schedule for the 2026-27 season is getting revealed this week, and the process began on Tuesday morning when the dates and teams for some marquee matchups were announced.
The season will kick off on Oct. 20 when the world champion New York Knicks will host LeBron James and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers. That contest is part of a tripleheader on NBC that begins with the Boston Celtics going up against the Detroit Pistons, and the third game will feature the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the San Antonio Spurs.
The following day, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers will host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. James' 76ers will later visit the Purple and Gold on Christmas Day.
The first four days of the 2026-27 NBA regular season
will feature nine national games across NBC/Peacock, ESPN and Prime Video. Fans can purchase tickets at https://t.co/kQADBA8FDD. NBA Schedule Release presented by @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/0qep3dyAvw
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2026
NBA Christmas Day 2026 on ABC and ESPN:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2026
- Spurs @ Knicks
- Heat @ Celtics
- 76ers @ Lakers
- Thunder @ Timberwolves
- Nuggets @ Warriors
The way the Lakers' schedule is arranged will matter a little more than usual because of how many new players they have, as well as the fact that six main rotation players from last season -- James, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes -- are gone.
The team went 53-29 last season despite key injuries to James, Doncic and Austin Reaves, and it upset the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs before getting swept by the Thunder in the next round.
The full schedule for the upcoming NBA season will be released on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers' season opener, Christmas Day matchups have been revealed
