NBA Unveils 5 Christmas Games and Oct. 20 Tripleheader for 2026-27 Opener

3 articles · Updated · hoopsrumors.com · Aug 11

Oct. 20 will open the 2026-27 season with three NBC games instead of the usual doubleheader: Celtics-Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, 76ers-Knicks at 7 p.m., and Thunder-Spurs at 9:30 p.m.
The expanded opening day adds an afternoon slot, while the two night games spotlight the Knicks' title defense against a LeBron James- and Jaylen Brown-led Philadelphia team and a Thunder-Spurs rematch of last season's West finals.
Four more nationally televised games follow on Oct. 21-22 on ESPN, including Warriors-Lakers and Nuggets-Thunder, before Amazon Prime Video carries Knicks-Celtics and Rockets-Spurs on Oct. 23.
Dec. 25 will again feature five games for a 19th straight year on ABC and ESPN, starting with Spurs-Knicks in a 2026 Finals rematch and including 76ers-Lakers, Thunder-Timberwolves, and Nuggets-Warriors.
Golden State kept its Christmas slot for a 14th consecutive season despite a 37-win campaign, and the NBA said its NBA Cup schedule arrives Wednesday before the full regular-season release Thursday.