- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The 2026-27 NBA season begins Tuesday with three games on the opening slate.
Defending champion New York hosts Philadelphia in a marquee matchup. The 76ers bolstered their roster by adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Jalen Brunson, who carried the Knicks through their title run, faces a 25.5-point prop line after clearing that mark in 57 of 94 games last season.
Detroit, coming off a 60-win campaign, visits Boston without Jaylen Brown, who was traded to Philadelphia. Cade Cunningham leads the Pistons against a Celtics squad featuring Jayson Tatum and Paul George.
The nightcap features a Western Conference Finals rematch as Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City. The Thunder could lean on Isaiah Hartenstein if Chet Holmgren misses time with a quad injury. Jalen Wallace, who led the NBA with 150 steals and 339 deflections last season, signed a five-year extension and is expected to start.
"Brunson showed throughout the Knicks' championship run that he can score against tough defenses," an analyst noted.
Source: ESPN - Tue Oct 20, 12:31 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).