NBC’s Mike Tirico noted that Tuesday, Oct. 20 will mark the “first time ever that a network has three games” on the NBA’s opening night. Getty Images
The NBA will tip off the 2026-27 season with a tripleheader on NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with NBC’s **Mike Tirico** noting it will mark the “first time ever that a network has three games” on the campaign’s opening night. Celtics-Pistons will begin things at 3pm ET, followed by **LeBron James** making his 76ers debut against the defending champion Knicks at 7pm and Thunder-Spurs at 9:30pm in a rematch of the Western Conference Finals. NBC also will cover the Knicks’ first championship banner ceremony in 53 years; that is set to air 30 minutes prior to tipoff of that game. All three games will also air on Peacock. Tirico noted with James and **Jaylen Brown** joining **Joel Embiid** with the 76ers, fans are “excited to see everything Philadelphia does this year, that’s really the big juice going into the season.” He added, “Of course you’ve got the Knicks, who’ve waited a half-century to put that banner up. The energy of opening night at Madison Square Garden is going to be pretty darn good” (_“Today,” NBC, 8/11_).
Meanwhile, ESPN will begin their coverage of the season with doubleheaders the next two nights, Oct. 21 and 22. **Giannis Antetokounmpo** will make his Heat debut on the 21st when his new team takes on the T’Wolves, followed by Warriors-Lakers. ESPN then will get its first look of James in a 76ers uniform on the 22nd with the Cavaliers coming to Philadelphia. That will be followed by Nuggets-Thunder (_“Good Morning America, ABC, 8/11_).