LeBron's 76ers to debut at Garden, visit Lakers on Christmas

LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are set to make their season debut with the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, facing the reigning champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The NBA announced the 2026-27 season schedule, highlighting the 76ers' Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The league is kicking off the season with a slate of games featuring its three most recent champions. The opening night will also see the Boston Celtics visit the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. This matchup between the Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, and the Thunder, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is a rematch of the Western Conference Finals.

James will play his first home game in Philadelphia on October 22, facing the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team where he began his career in 2003. The NBA's Christmas Day tradition, dating back to 1947, will offer over twelve hours of continuous basketball. The festivities begin at Madison Square Garden with a rematch of the last NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs. Other Christmas Day games include the Boston Celtics against the Miami Heat, and a highly anticipated clash between the Lakers and the 76ers in Los Angeles.