NBA opening week must-watch games
NBA opening week features Knicks versus Sixers and Thunder versus Spurs in must watch matchups.
The NBA offseason is a lull with the majority of signings and trades in the rearview window. Yet, this week brought hoops fans a bit of a reprieve with some news.
The league officially unveiled the full 2026-27 NBA schedule Thursday, August 13, after it had revealed its opening week slate, the Christmas Day matchups and other key dates earlier in the week.
That means that even though the start of the season remains a little more than two months away, NBA fans can start to circle dates on the calendar. And since stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami Heat), LeBron James (Philadelphia 76ers) and Jaylen Brown (76ers) moved teams, there will be plenty of intrigue around the big games of their new teams.
With the 2026-27 schedule officially dropping, here are the 10 NBA matchups we cannot wait to see:
- Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. | NBC and Peacock
The defending champs host the winners of the offseason and newest contenders in the East. And it just so happens to be the second game of the triple-header that opens the regular season, when the Knicks will raise a championship banner for the first time in 53 years. LeBron James tends to have massive games in Madison Square Garden, though he figures to be more of a complementary player in Philadelphia. This gives fans the first opportunity to see what the Sixers offense will look like.
- Monday, Feb. 15, 2027 at 5 p.m. | NBC and Peacock
The matchups between Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been appointment viewing. Both respect each other, and both typically go all out when competing against each other. In the past, both Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo have sought out the matchup to guard the other. That has led to exceptional individual performances. This time, we get to see what it looks like with Antetokounmpo in Miami.
- Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 at 5 p.m. | ESPN/ABC
You knew LeBron James was going to play on Christmas Day; now he’ll get to do it in his first game back in Los Angeles, against his former team and his son, Bronny James. By all accounts, James’ departure from the Lakers was cordial and respectful. Despite that, there will clearly be an appetite to stick it to his former squad. Similarly, Luka Dončić and the Lakers – now under new ownership – will want to show they’re better off.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
- Monday, Dec. 28, 2026 at 10:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock
These two squads have met in the playoffs in three of the past four postseasons, and the series have not disappointed. They’ve been physical and chirpy; as a reminder, in late April, Nuggets star Nikola Jokić took exception to Jaden McDaniels’ layup in the closing seconds of a blowout Minnesota victory and confronted him. More good news here is that these teams play four times this season.
Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Wednesday, March 24, 2027 at 10 p.m. (at Golden State) | ESPN
- Wednesday, March 31, 2027 at 7 p.m. (at Philadelphia) | ESPN
This matchup may have lost some of its luster as both players have continued to age, but it’s another chance to see LeBron James and Stephen Curry compete.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 at 9:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock
After this series went seven games in the Western Conference finals in one of the more physical matchups in recent history, it’s always nice to renew what’s becoming a top rivalry in the league. It’s clear both these teams don’t like each other, as much as there is mutual respect. And after the upstart Spurs upset the Thunder to go to the NBA Finals, the Thunder presumably will come out of the gates with plenty to prove. It will also be interesting to see how a few new faces — Tobias Harrris on the Spurs and rookie Aday Mara on the Thunder, for example — alter the matchup.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
- Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027 at 7:30 p.m. | Amazon Prime
Jaylen Brown will be making his first trip to Boston as a member of another team, so it will be interesting to see how fans receive him at the TD Garden. Brown was the 2024 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and helped deliver a title to Boston, so it should be (mostly) warm. Brown said during his introductory press conference that he and Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who were teammates for nine seasons, hadn’t really spoken since Brown’s trade. It also gives Paul George a chance to go up against his former side.
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
- Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. | Amazon Prime
People, for the most part, are sleeping on the Pacers. Yet, with Tyrese Haliburton seemingly poised to return to full health, Indiana should return to its previous levels of offensive proficiency. What better place to see if that proves to be true than Madison Square Garden against the defending champs. Haliburton has shined at the Garden, with no shot bigger than his miracle in Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, a buzzer beater that bounced high off back rim before it swished through the net.
Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks
- Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 at 9:30 p.m. | Amazon Prime
This might be a game that your turn on for the beginning but then cruise League Pass to see what else is out there, because the Heat should control the game. But it will be Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first trip back to Milwaukee after he spent the first 13 seasons of his career there. It should be an emotional night all around, especially after Heat captain Bam Adebayo struck former teammate Tyler Herro during Summer League. Interestingly, it will be the second time the two play, with the Bucks visiting Miami Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026 at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
- Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027 at 3 p.m. | Amazon Prime
Both AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson felt they were the best overall player in the NBA draft, though it was Dybantsa whom Washington selected with the No. 1 overall pick. This will be the first chance fans get to see the top two draft picks compete in the same NBA game, though they had memorable matchups in college. An added bonus: the Wizards and Jazz should both be significantly improved.