NBA 2026-27 season opens with tripleheader on October 20

The National Basketball Association will begin its 2026-27 regular season with a tripleheader on Opening Night, scheduled for Tuesday, October 20. The first game of the new campaign is set to tip off at 3 p.m. ET, featuring the Boston Celtic against the Detroit Pistons.

Opening Night Matchups

The opening night slate includes a marquee matchup between the New York Knick and the Philadelphia 76ers. Courtside seats for this game remain available, though prices are reported to be significant. Additionally, the Golden State Warriors will face the Los Angeles Lakers in another contest on the opening night card.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has announced that a veteran trio, valued at $9 million, will make the opening night roster for the game against the Lakers. The Warriors appear to have finalized the back half of their roster for the regular season.

Broadcast and Roster Updates

NBC will broadcast the opening night tripleheader, marking the return of the NBA on NBC for the 2026-27 season. Meanwhile, ESPN has released its schedule for Inside the NBA, which will be produced by TNT Sports from its Atlanta studios and feature 25 regular season appearances.

Other teams are finalizing their rosters ahead of the season start. The New York Knicks are reportedly targeting two intriguing centers, including a former 2024 lottery pick, before opening night. The Phoenix Suns have identified three major concerns regarding their roster, including Luke Kennard’s knee injury and final roster decisions. The league also faces starting lineup questions for several teams, such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers.