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Matt Audilet

By Matt Audilet

Contributing Sports Writer

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The NBA announced two primetime matchups to open up the league's 2026-27 season on Tuesday, building hype for the upcoming year.

The reigning NBA-champion New York Knicks will face off against the new-look Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Immediately following this Eastern Conference clash, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will matchup against reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference Finals rematch at 9:30 p.m. ET.

At 3 p.m. ET, the Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics will face off against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons.

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Knicks veteran Josh Hart said he was "shocked" by this opening night schedule announcement, but didn't go into any further detail as to why.

"Can’t lie. I’m extremely shocked this is the slate," Hart wrote on social media.

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver and his league waited until LeBron James made his free agency decision to finalize the 2026-27 schedule. James signed a two-year contract with the 76ers, joining a talented roster featuring Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Josh Hart

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The Knicks also received their Christmas Day assignment on Tuesday. The reigning champs will face off against the Spurs in an NBA Finals rematch on Dec. 25.

The 76ers will matchup against James' former Los Angeles Lakers team on Christmas Day.

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