NBA officially announces Opening Week and Christmas Day schedule! LeBron James becomes the center of attention as the Finals rematch is set.

On August 11, Beijing time, the NBA officially announced the specific schedule for the three big games on opening day, the opening week, and the five Christmas Day games.

The three games on opening day (October 21) are: Celtics vs. Pistons at 3:00 AM, 76ers vs. Knicks at 7:00 AM, and Thunder vs. Spurs at 9:30 AM.

Celtics vs. Pistons

The new season starts slightly earlier than previous years, with the first game being a daytime early matchup between the Celtics and the Pistons. Last season, the two teams finished first and second in the Eastern Conference regular season standings, with the Pistons rising to the top seed and the Celtics in second place.

76ers vs. Knicks

Two Atlantic Division rivals clash on the first day of the season, making this game full of highlights.

For the Knicks, the team will raise their first championship banner since 1973. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and their teammates will receive their championship rings in front of the passionate home crowd at Madison Square Garden. All five starters from this championship team remained with the team this summer, with only backup big man Mitchell Robinson leaving the rotation.

On the Philadelphia side, fans hope this game will be the starting point of their championship journey. The 76ers were the most aggressive team in the offseason, trading Paul George to acquire Jaylen Brown and also signing LeBron James. The two teams faced each other in the second round of the playoffs last season, but with drastically changed rosters, this matchup will be completely different from the one in May.

Thunder vs. Spurs

The most intense playoff series from last season will be replayed on opening night.

The Spurs fell short to the Knicks last season and missed out on the championship. This season, they aim to hold onto the Western Conference throne and go further. In the offseason, the Spurs added strong reinforcements around Victor Wembanyama, with Tobias Harris being a key acquisition. However, how far the team can go in the 2026-27 season will depend on whether young stars like Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper can achieve their own growth.

The Thunder are seeking revenge: in last season's Western Conference Finals Game 7, the Spurs won on the road in Oklahoma City, crushing the Thunder's hopes of defending their title. Sam Presti spent the offseason adjusting the roster and clearing cap space, dealing away key rotation players like Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins. Meanwhile, two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is chasing history, aiming to become the fourth player in NBA history to win three consecutive regular-season MVPs (the previous three: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird).

The league also announced the schedule for the other three days of opening week. On October 22 at 7:30 PM, Timberwolves vs. Heat; at 10:00 PM, Warriors vs. Lakers. On October 23 at 7:00 PM, Cavaliers vs. 76ers; at 9:30 PM, Nuggets vs. Thunder. On October 24 at 7:00 PM, Knicks vs. Celtics; at 9:30 PM, Rockets vs. Spurs, which has a hint of rivalry matchups.

The five Christmas Day games are: Spurs vs. Knicks, Heat vs. Celtics, 76ers vs. Lakers, Thunder vs. Timberwolves, and Nuggets vs. Warriors.

12:00 AM: Spurs vs. Knicks

A rematch of last season's Finals! Defending champion Knicks face runner-up Spurs. Brunson and Towns take on Wembanyama; the intensity of the Finals carries over, with youthful talent Wembanyama going up against the experienced championship core. It's a revenge battle for the new Western king to challenge for the title.

2:30 AM: Heat vs. Celtics

Classic Eastern Conference rivalry. Two teams with top-notch defensive and offensive discipline have been battling in the playoffs for years, showcasing extreme team basketball. How will the new Heat led by Giannis and the Celtics led by George and Tatum clash?

5:00 AM: 76ers vs. Lakers

LeBron James faces his former team, the Lakers, full of nostalgia. The 76ers have assembled a star-studded roster to chase the championship; the Lakers host LeBron at home, with the legendary star confronting his old team, generating huge buzz and conversation.

8:00 AM: Thunder vs. Timberwolves

Two top young teams in the West face off. The two star players go head-to-head, with fast-paced transitions. The Timberwolves have a revamped roster; how will the pairing of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards perform?

10:30 AM: Nuggets vs. Warriors

A classic rivalry between established Western powerhouses. Jokic vs. Curry, two top stars meet again; the Nuggets' interior dominance vs. the Warriors' perimeter shooting system. Two former championship teams go head-to-head, testing the competitiveness of the Western veteran teams in the new season.