The offseason is over, and NBA Tip-Off 2026 is here. The 2026–27 season gets underway today with a tripleheader on NBC and Peacock, setting the stage for an exciting opening week.
From a championship banner-raising to a Western Conference Finals rematch, the first few days bring some of the season’s biggest storylines, with star-studded matchups and new-look lineups taking center stage.
Here’s what to watch and how to keep track of it all.
Get the 2026–27 NBA schedule →
NBA Tip-Off 2026: Tuesday’s Tripleheader (Oct. 20)
- Celtics at Pistons | 3:00 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
- 76ers at Knicks | 7:00 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
- Thunder at Spurs | 9:30 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
Detroit gets the season started
The opener wastes no time.
Detroit finished the 2025–26 regular season with 60 wins, securing the East’s top seed. Now, the Pistons open against Boston, last season’s second-best team in the conference, with both sides looking to build on their regular-season success.
The Knicks open their title defense
At Madison Square Garden, New York begins its championship defense against a revamped Philadelphia side.
The 76ers arrive with two major additions: LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, who make their regular-season debuts for the franchise alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. They’ll face a Knicks crowd ready to celebrate New York’s first NBA championship since 1973.
The rematch everyone wanted
Oklahoma City finished last season with 64 wins before meeting San Antonio in a seven-game Western Conference Finals series.
Now, the teams meet again on opening night. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces Victor Wembanyama, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, as the Spurs host the Thunder at Frost Bank Center.
New Duos, New Eras
- Wednesday, Oct. 21 (ESPN): Giannis Antetokounmpo makes his Miami debut as the Heat host Minnesota at 7:30 PM ET. The Timberwolves will feature new point guard LaMelo Ball. Later, Luka Dončić and the Lakers host Steph Curry and the Warriors at 10:00 PM ET in an all-California showdown.
- Thursday, Oct. 22 (ESPN): LeBron James returns to face Cleveland as Philadelphia hosts the Cavaliers at 7:00 PM ET. Later, reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder take on three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets at 9:30 PM ET. Together, the two stars have won five of the last six MVP awards.
- Friday, Oct. 23 (Prime Video): The Knicks visit Boston for another chapter in one of the NBA’s longest-running rivalries at 7:00 PM ET. Later, Kevin Durant’s Rockets take on the Spurs at 9:30 PM ET at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, where Durant starred in college basketball for the University of Texas.
The Emirates NBA Cup Arrives Early
Tournament play is right around the corner. Group Play for the Emirates NBA Cup begins Friday, October 30, with the Championship Game set for December 11 in Indianapolis.
Early in the season, teams will already be balancing the 82-game regular-season schedule with the added stakes of tournament play.
Keep Every Tip-Off in Your Calendar
Opening week features games across NBC, Peacock, ESPN and Prime Video. Add local broadcasts, NBA League Pass and NBA Cup games to the mix, and keeping track of when and where to watch can quickly become a challenge.
Tip-off times and broadcast details can vary, so having the schedule in your calendar makes it easier to stay on top of the action.
ECAL makes getting the schedule simple:
- Visit the official NBA calendar page at nba.ecal.com and click Add to Calendar.
- Choose the full league schedule or select an individual team.
- Pick your preferred calendar provider, including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Microsoft Outlook, and confirm your subscription.
The season starts today. Add the schedule once and keep track of the games throughout the season.
Get the 2026–27 NBA schedule →
