Finally, NBA teams will start making travel arrangements and fans can start purchasing tickets.
The NBA released its 82-game regular-season schedule for the 2026-27 season on Thursday, an annual tradition that provides intrigue on marquee matchups and clarity on the team’s dizzying itinerary.
Below are some of the interesting parts of the NBA’s schedule for the 2026-27 season.
Best reunion game
From a pure basketball standpoint, the best reunion game will entail Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown facing the Boston Celtics (Nov. 10, 8 pm ET, NBC) for the first time since the Celtics unexpectedly traded him. Yes, the NBA scheduled LeBron James to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day (8 pm ET, ABC) for the first time since leaving this offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo will also play the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 18 (7 pm ET, ESPN) for the first time since the Miami Heat acquired him in an off-season trade.
But Brown’s reunion means more. Unlike James’ eight seasons with the Lakers, Brown spent his entire NBA career with Boston and grew as its No. 3 pick (2015) to an eventual Finals MVP and multi-year All-Star. While Antetokounmpo made it clear that he wanted to leave Milwaukee amid frustration with its rebuild, it was the Celtics that thought of dealing Brown.
When put in that context, Brown will face his former team with more complex and raw emotions. All of which makes it surprising and disappointing that Brown will play the Celtics first in Philadelphia before going to Boston (Jan. 27, 2027, 7:30 pm ET, Amazon Prime). Brown presumably will still witness a video tribute before an appreciative Celtics crowd that seems divided that the organization dealt him for an aging Paul George and draft picks. But some of the emotional charge dissipates since Brown would have already faced Boston in Philly.
The NBA has various national TV leaders
The league deals with complicated variables with finalizing the formula, including venue’s availability dates and various team itineraries. But here’s one thing that isn’t complicated: the NBA showcases its marquee teams on national TV games.
Hence, it’s not surprising that the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers all have a league-leading 34 national TV games through Amazing Prime, NBC/Peacock, ESPN and ABC. The Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973 in the country’s largest media market. The Spurs lost in the NBA Finals, but boasts a young generational star (Victor Wembanyama). The Sixers just formed a ‘Super Team” by pairing Brown and James with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Lakers have a global following, have a generational star (Luka Dončić) and are a second-tier playoff team.
Longest road trip?
To accommodate venue availabiltiies and ensure more efficient travel itineraries, every NBA team will have at least one lengthy trip.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have seven road games in 17 days that starts with a home back-to-back at Indiana (Jan. 2) and vs San Antonio (Jan. 3). The Wolves then play in Houston (Jan. 5), Toronto (Jan. 7) and Washington (Jan. 8) before returning home to host Cleveland (Jan. 11). Minnesota then travels to Chicago (Jan. 14), Philadelphia (Jan. 16) and New York (Jan. 18). The Lakers (Jan. 28 – Feb. 8) and New Orleans Pelicans (Jan. 30 – Feb. 10) also play seven consective road games
Going global
The NBA will host its first regular-season games in Manchester, England with regular-season matchups between the Spurs and the Wolves, both on Jan. 14 (2 pm ET, Amazon Prime) and Jan. 17 (10:30 am ET). The NBA typically hosts pre-season games for select teams overseas, but these games bring higher stakes. Both the Wolves and Spurs will have additional time to settle into an area, a luxury most teams don’t have on trips. But they also may face a bigger workload both with off-day practices and promotional appearances.
NBA Cup features the Sixers prominently
To no one’s surprise, the NBA will showcase the Sixers’ newly formed Super Team. One of many examples: the NBA slotted the Sixers in marquee matchups during NBA Cup Group Play.
The Sixers will host the Knicks on Oct. 30 (7:30 pm ET, Amazon Prime), visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 6 (7:30 pm ET, Amazon Prime) and then host the Miami Heat on Nov. 25 (5 pm ET, ESPN). The Sixers are in East Group B that include the NBA’s defending champions (Knicks) and three playoff contenders (Cleveland, Miami and Indiana Pacers). The Sixers will compete in group play against two of James’ two former teams (Cleveland, Miami) and an emerging team that will field a healthy Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana).