Lakers132
Jazz123
Pacers136
Nets109
Raptors94
Timberwolves117
Magic111
Clippers101
Grizzlies123
Kings112NBA Opening Night 2026
NBA opening night 2026 is in the books: 3 games on Tuesday, October 20 opened the 2026-27 season. Final scores, box scores and recaps are below.
2026-27 NBA season
Tuesday, October 20, 2026Final
3 games · NBC & Peacock · 3:00 PM ET first tip
NBA Opening Night 2026 Games
- FinalNBC, Peacock
Boston Celtics1-1113
Detroit Pistons3-0121Top: George 38 PTSBox score › - FinalNBC, Peacock
Philadelphia 76ers3-1106
New York Knicks0-3100Top: Maxey 28 PTSBox score › - FinalNBC, Peacock
Oklahoma City Thunder3-0116
San Antonio Spurs1-2104Top: Gilgeous-Alexander 32 PTSBox score ›
Opening Night Storylines
- Top of the East, night one. Celtics (2nd in the East at 56-26) at Pistons (1st, 60-22) in 2025-26.
- Knicks raise the banner. The 2025-26 champions open at home against the 76ers.
- Spurs after a Finals run. Beaten 4-1 by the Knicks in the 2025-26 Finals, the Spurs open at home against the Thunder.
- Top of the West, night one. Thunder (1st in the West at 64-18) at Spurs (2nd, 62-20) in 2025-26.
How to Watch NBA Opening Night
- Date & time
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026First tip 3:00 PM ET, last 9:30 PM ET
- National TV
- NBC and PeacockEvery opener airs nationally
- Stream
- PeacockStreams follow the national channel
- Local TV
- Team channelsEach game page lists both teams' local channels
Opening Week: What Comes Next
Monday, October 26 9 games
- 7:00 PM ET Local TV
- 7:00 PM ET Local TV
- 7:30 PM ET Local TV
- 7:30 PM ET NBA TV
- 8:00 PM ET Local TV
- 8:00 PM ET Local TV
All 9 games on Oct 26 › · Full NBA schedule ›
Tuesday, October 27 4 games
- 7:30 PM ET Local TV
- 8:00 PM ET NBC, PeacockOut: Jalen DurenPreview ›
- 8:00 PM ET Local TV
- 11:00 PM ET NBC, Peacock
Recent NBA Opening Nights
| Season | Opening night | First game | Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Oct 20, 2026 | Celtics at Pistons | In play |
| 2025-26 | Oct 21, 2025 | Rockets at Thunder | New York Knicks |
| 2024-25 | Oct 22, 2024 | Knicks at Celtics | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2023-24 | Oct 24, 2023 | Lakers at Nuggets | Boston Celtics |
| 2022-23 | Oct 18, 2022 | 76ers at Celtics | Denver Nuggets |
| 2021-22 | Oct 19, 2021 | Nets at Bucks | Golden State Warriors |
| 2020-21 | Dec 22, 2020 | Warriors at Nets | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2019-20 | Oct 22, 2019 | Pelicans at Raptors | Los Angeles Lakers |
Opening night is the first regular-season game day; the 2020-21 opener was delayed to December by the pandemic.
NBA Opening Night FAQ
When is NBA opening night 2026?
NBA opening night is Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the first game day of the 2026-27 season.
How many games are on NBA opening night?
There were 3 games: Celtics at Pistons (3:00 PM ET); 76ers at Knicks (7:00 PM ET); Thunder at Spurs (9:30 PM ET).
What channel is NBA opening night on?
The opening night games air on NBC and Peacock and stream on Peacock.
Who are the defending NBA champions?
The New York Knicks, who beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the Finals. They receive their rings before the opener against the 76ers.
When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season end?
The regular season runs from October 20 to April 11, 2027, with all 30 teams playing 82 games.