The wait is over. The 2026/27 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, 20 October, with an opening night tripleheader packed with storylines, headlined by LeBron James making his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers against the defending champion New York Knicks.
Celtics at Pistons
The season opens with the Boston Celtics visiting the Detroit Pistons at 3pm Eastern, which is 10pm in Nairobi. It is a rematch of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference from last season, and a big stage for Pistons star Cade Cunningham to launch an MVP-level campaign.
76ers at Knicks
The marquee game sees the 76ers visit Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will raise their first championship banner since 1973. New York beat the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, and their opening night opponent has a very different look this season. Philadelphia added both LeBron James and Jaylen Brown over the summer, with James, now 41, beginning his 24th NBA season in new colours.
Thunder at Spurs
The night closes in San Antonio, where the Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals. Tip off is 9:30pm Eastern, which means 4:30am on Wednesday for fans in Kenya.
Key dates for the 2026/27 season
- 20 October: regular season begins
- 30 October: NBA Cup group play begins
- 11 December: NBA Cup final in Indianapolis
- 25 December: five-game Christmas Day slate
- 21 February 2027: All-Star Game in Phoenix
- 11 April 2027: regular season ends
Christmas is already circled
Christmas Day brings a Finals rematch between the Spurs and the Knicks, plus LeBron’s first return to Los Angeles as an opponent when the 76ers visit the Lakers. Each team will play 82 games, with two of those set by NBA Cup group results.
Whether you are a long-time fan or new to the league, there has rarely been a better time to start watching.
