The NBA schedule hasn’t been released yet, but it’s already becoming easier to connect the dots.
At this point, it feels increasingly likely that the 76ers will open the regular season against either the Celtics or the Knicks. Those same two teams also appear to be the frontrunners for Philadelphia’s Christmas Day opponent.
A Celtics-76ers matchup would instantly become one of the league’s marquee events.
Boston’s blockbuster decision to send Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and multiple draft picks completely reshaped one of the NBA’s most iconic rivalries. Layer in LeBron James’ decades-long history with the Celtics and Joel Embiid’s own playoff battles against Boston, and you have no shortage of storylines. From a television standpoint, it’s hard to imagine many games generating more interest.
The Knicks present an equally compelling case.
Fresh off an NBA championship, New York swept the 76ers in the second round before marching all the way to the title. That alone creates a natural rematch worthy of either Opening Night or Christmas Day, especially with Philadelphia expected to enter the season looking much different than the team New York eliminated just a few months ago.
My expectation is that the NBA will lean into the Finals rematch and schedule Knicks-Spurs on Christmas Day. If that’s the case, Boston would become the obvious Christmas opponent for Philadelphia, making a Knicks-76ers showdown on Opening Night feel like the most logical outcome.
Another intriguing subplot involves LeBron James off the court.
There has been speculation that LeBron could spend part of the season living in New York while playing for the 76ers, taking advantage of the city’s unmatched entertainment and business opportunities. According to reports, the plan would involve commuting to Philadelphia via a roughly 45-minute helicopter ride—an arrangement that certainly fits the unique stage this season is setting.
Zooming out, this has the potential to be one of the NBA’s most fascinating seasons in years.
Oklahoma City and San Antonio are once again expected to lead the Western Conference, but the Eastern Conference looks considerably deeper than it did a year ago. While the Knicks enter as defending champions, the road back to the Finals won’t be nearly as straightforward. Several contenders have significantly upgraded their rosters, and the balance of power in the East suddenly feels far more competitive.
If the schedule falls the way many expect, the NBA won’t need long to remind everyone just how compelling this season could be.