Mike Tirico broke the news live on TODAY on Aug. 11: the Philadelphia 76ers will open the 2026-27 season at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, walking straight into the Knicks’ championship ring ceremony. It’s the marquee window of an NBC/Peacock tripleheader, the first time a network has carried three tip-off games in one night. And the Knicks have already proven themselves once — they swept the Sixers in last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals. But certain things have changed since.
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Hours later, on the same show, host Craig Melvin called the Sixers “the team to beat in the East.” Jalen Brunson didn’t feel the need to dispute it, but he also made clear the Knicks aren’t rattled.
“I mean, rightfully so,” Brunson said on Today. “They have a lot of firepower. But we’re going to focus on what we have to do, and we’ll see what happens.”
On the specific matchup, Brunson added, “Fireworks for sure,” he said. “I mean, they’re going to be electric. They’re going to definitely be a team to keep your eye on. They reloaded this year, so it will be a tough test, but we’ll be ready.”
New York returns with the core that beat Philadelphia, swept Cleveland in the East finals, and closed out San Antonio in five games. Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby are all still there. So is coach Mike Brown, who got questioned all season long and is now a champion in his first year on the bench.
Philadelphia counters with LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, four All-NBA names. Philly opened the summer at +6000 to win it all. Then came the Jaylen Brown trade, and the number came to +2000. LeBron signed, and it fell again to +950. It’s since leveled off at +900, tied for third with the defending champion Knicks, behind only co-favorites Oklahoma City and San Antonio at +270.
James’ new jersey is already the fastest-selling debut jersey in the history of any major sport. Their reward, though, is a brutal start: a home debut against Cleveland, the team James turned down, on Oct. 22, then a Christmas Day trip to the Lakers, his old team.
Brunson is entering the season on a physical rebound. He suffered a left wrist injury during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland back in May and just played through it. He put up 45 points in Game 5 against San Antonio, clinching Finals MVP, then had surgery on July 7.
Asked on the same broadcast for a health update, Brunson sounded optimistic. “Should be. That’s the plan,” he said. “I feel good. I have a little bit more time in this. Once this is off, we’ll figure out the best plan of action. But it’s been getting a little rest. I’m ready to continue to get back to it.”
That said, Brunson wasn’t the only Knick with something to say. Josh Hart reacted to the news on X with his usual dry humor: “Can’t lie. I’m extremely shocked this is the slate.”
Before Philadelphia even takes the floor, New York raises its first championship banner since 1973 and picks up the rings that come with it. The Sixers start their season watching someone else’s party, then have to go try and crash it.