The New York Knicks begin their 2026-27 NBA season tonight, October 20, by hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, will be preceded by a championship ceremony at 6:30 p.m. ET, where the Knicks will receive their championship rings and a banner will be unveiled.
This marks the team's first championship in 53 years. The Knicks’ roster includes Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, who are all set to receive their championship honors.
The 76ers, meanwhile, have undergone significant changes in the offseason. In addition to LeBron James, the team has acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. They also retain a core of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.
Fans can watch the season opener and championship ceremony on NBC. For those without cable, the game can be streamed for free via a five-day trial of DIRECTV's live TV streaming service, which includes NBC among its programming. The DIRECTV MySports Genre Pack or MyNews Genre Pack are recommended options for accessing the game.