NBA Unveils 2026-27 Schedule With Christmas Blockbuster

The NBA has released its 2026-27 regular-season schedule, featuring a Finals rematch on Christmas Day and several high-profile returns to former teams.

Defending champions New York Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs on 25 December in their first meeting since New York won last season’s NBA Finals. The teams will meet again in San Antonio on 7 March.

The Christmas programme begins at noon ET with the Knicks-Spurs clash. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat then visit the Boston Celtics, while the Philadelphia 76ers travel to the Los Angeles Lakers at 5 p.m. The game will mark LeBron James’ first return to Los Angeles since joining Philadelphia.

The NBA schedule also includes notable homecomings. Former Boston star Jaylen Brown will face the Celtics in Philadelphia on 10 November before returning to TD Garden on 21 January. Antetokounmpo will return to Milwaukee when Miami visits the Bucks on 28 January, after spending his first 13 seasons with the franchise.

Elsewhere, Portland’s Ja Morant returns to Memphis on 6 February, while Minnesota’s LaMelo Ball visits Charlotte on 15 February.

Opening night on 20 October will see Boston visit Detroit, the Knicks raise their championship banner against Philadelphia, and San Antonio host Oklahoma City in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals.

The NBA schedule also features a rematch of the 2025 Finals when Indiana visits Oklahoma City on 5 February. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who missed last season after an Achilles injury, is now healthy.

The league has also scheduled the first meeting between 2026 draft picks AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson for 27 February.

Which matchup on the new NBA schedule are you most excited to watch?