A lob fit for a King. A royal start for Philly.

The new-look Sixers are already flying high. Just ask Jaylen Brown.

Philly Fresh: LeBron, Maxey & Brown lead Sixers past defending champion Knicks on banner night

MSG All-Access: On the ground for NY’s title celebration, from rings to a roaring Garden

Tuesday Roundup: SGA powers Thunder past Spurs, Pistons roar back from 22 down

Tonight On ESPN: Giannis & LaMelo debut as Heat visit Wolves, Luka & Steph duel in L.A.

On League Pass: Kawhi in Toronto; Hali, Dame & Kyrie return, rookies debut and more

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Twenty-two teams open their regular seasons tonight, headlined by ESPN’s first doubleheader of 2026-27.

First, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball make their debuts with Miami and Minnesota, respectively, as the Heat host the Wolves (7:30 ET). Then, Steph Curry’s Warriors visit Luka Dončić and the retooled Lakers (10 ET).

Season Start Challenge: Celebrate the new season by completing four activities in the NBA App to earn an exclusive badge and, if eligible, a chance to win a trip to the Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Championship | Join The Challenge

WNBA Finals, Game 3: The seven-game series between the Dream and Valkyries is tied at 1, with the action shifting to Atlanta tonight (8 ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC)

1. STAR-STUDDED SIXERS SHINE ON BANNER NIGHT AT MSG

It was a night to celebrate the past. And a night to welcome the future.

It began with a ceremony 53 years in the making, as the Knicks raised their championship banner to the rafters of Madison Square Garden and received their rings in front of a roaring home crowd.

It ended, though, with LeBron James and the new-look 76ers celebrating.

76ers 106, Knicks 100: James (14 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast) and Jaylen Brown (19 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast) stuffed the stat sheet in their Sixers debuts, while Tyrese Maxey dropped a game-high 28 points as Philly took control in the 2nd half and staved off Jalen Brunson (21 pts) and New York. | Recap

• Early Edge: After their banner went up, so did the Knicks, taking a 10-point lead in the 1st half behind 15 points from Brunson and big minutes from newcomer Andre Drummond (12 pts, 14 reb)
• Sixers Swing: But Philly cut the deficit to four before the break, then closed the 3rd on an 11-0 run, capped by a fallaway 3 from Brown at the buzzer
• Closing Time: The Sixers never trailed again, answering a late Knicks push with a 10-5 closing run, as Maxey, James, Joel Embiid (13 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast) and VJ Edgecombe combined for all 10 Philly points

The finish was a snapshot of Philly’s first game together. With so much star power on one roster, all eyes were on how the pieces would fit. The Sixers offered a strong first glimpse, sharing the rock and making winning plays on both ends.

• Instant Connection: Six Sixers scored in double digits, with James (7), Embiid (6), Brown (6) and Maxey (5) combining for 24 assists, more than the entire Knicks team (21)
• The Scary Part? Philly shot just 27.5% from 3, but its defense answered the call, holding New York to 42 points in the 2nd half
• “I love the way we played,” said James postgame. “I think we played exceptionally well, especially on defense. Didn’t shoot the ball well, but we have capable shooters. We know that. So good win for our team.”

2. ON THE GROUND AT MSG: THE BANNER, THE RINGS, THE ROAR

“I’ve been in this arena as a player and as a broadcaster … I’m not sure I’ve felt a buzz quite like [that] when that banner was being raised.”

Those were the words of NBC analyst Reggie Miller, describing a night MSG had waited more than five decades to experience.

And while the final score belonged to Philly, New York got its championship moment, raising a banner that will hang forever.

• MSG Electricity: The Garden was bumping long before tip-off as the Knicks ran out to a standing ovation with a star-studded crowd in attendance, from Ben Stiller and Spike Lee to Walt Frazier and Carmelo Anthony
• Golden Drip: The Knicks brought some extra flair, too, sporting gold jersey numbers – with matching kicks from Brunson – while Josh Hart took his championship style to a whole new level with some new braids.

Then, It Was Time: Watch the Knicks raise their long-coveted banner to the rafters from inside Madison Square Garden, and see their star core receive their rings to a thunderous ovation.

• Worth the Wait: What do the rings look like up close? Let’s just say, when you wait more than five decades for some new bling, you go all out
• “This is unbelievable. This is really a dream come true,” said Brunson, addressing the crowd pregame. “One thing I have to say: the joy the city had this summer – [we] would love to replicate that again.”

3. TUESDAY ROUNDUP: SGA POWERS OKC, DETROIT ROARS BACK

Last season, San Antonio had the final word against the rival Thunder.

Last night, OKC had the first.

Thunder 116, Spurs 104: In Tuesday’s nightcap, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a two-way clinic (32 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl, 3 blk), powering OKC to a near wire-to-wire win over Victor Wembanyama (12 pts on 1-for-13 shooting, 13 reb, 6 blk) and the Spurs in San Antonio. | Recap

• Always On: The reigning back-to-back Kia MVP showed no signs of rust, racking up 16 points and 4 dimes in the 1st half as OKC led by as many as 26
• Always Steady: He scored 16 more after halftime, extending his all-time record streak of consecutive 20+ point games to 141
• Always Closing: When San Antonio cut the deficit to seven late, Jared McCain answered with a 3 to push the lead back to 10, before SGA delivered the dagger, splashing a tough baseline pull-up to slam the door shut

Complete Statement: McCain added 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting from deep, while Chet Holmgren (14 pts, 7 reb) and Jalen Williams (12 pts, 7 reb) combined for 26.

On the other end, OKC’s top-ranked defense from a season ago held San Antonio to just 38.7% shooting, taking down the team that ended its season in Game 7 of last year’s West Finals.

• “This group’s hungry,” said SGA postgame. “This group wants more. This group’s not satisfied – and a little bit more so than in the past.”

New season. Same Detroit grit.

Pistons 121, Celtics 113: In the opening game of the 2026-27 season, Paul George came out cooking, dropping 38 points – the most by any Celtic in his debut – as Boston built a 72-50 lead early in the 3rd.

But there was too much time left for Detroit. Last year’s top seed in the East cut the deficit to 10 in the 4th before unleashing a 23-0 run, fueled by the hot hand of Duncan Robinson (21 pts, 5 3s), to complete an electric comeback dub. | Recap

• D-Bo’s Run: Robinson scored 18 points in the 2nd half and 12 during the 23-0 burst, including a crowd-popping 3 to give Detroit a 107-99 lead with 5:04 left
• Answering Back: George (7-12 3pm) later cut the lead to four with his seventh 3 of the day, but Ausar Thompson answered with a pull-up with 41 ticks left
• Stars Shine: Cade Cunningham (8 ast) alongside Jalen Duren (9 reb) led Detroit with 22 points apiece, plus one blue carpet appearance
• Depth Delivers: Javonte Green added 19, all in the 2nd half, and joined Robinson with five 3s as Detroit outscored Boston 39-25 in the 4th

The Result? The Pistons’ 22-point rally marks the largest comeback on the first day of the season since play-by-play data was first tracked in 1997-98.

• “I think the comeback just embodied the culture,” said Duren postgame. “We’re a team that’s known to be gritty … known to never quit. That’s our identity.”

4. ON ESPN: MARQUEE DEBUTS (7:30 ET) & A CALI CLASH (10 ET)

On June 22, reports broke of a major trade that would reshape the NBA landscape: Giannis Antetokounmpo was headed to Miami.

Three days later, another blockbuster: LaMelo Ball was being dealt to Minnesota, joining Anthony Edwards in the Wolves’ pursuit of their first championship.

Tonight on ESPN (7:30 ET), those two moves converge as Antetokounmpo and Ball make their respective regular-season debuts with their new teams, facing off as Miami hosts Minnesota.

• A Legendary Run: Drafted by Milwaukee in 2013, Giannis blossomed into a Bucks icon, breaking the franchise’s all-time scoring record, earning back-to-back Kia MVPs and leading Milwaukee to its first NBA title in 50 years in 2021
• A New Chapter: Now, Giannis joins fellow All-Star Bam Adebayo to form one of the league’s most imposing frontcourts as Miami looks to return to title contention | Heat Season Preview

And the fit goes beyond the floor. In Milwaukee, Giannis built his career on accountability and effort. In his first week with Miami, he quickly recognized those same principles at the heart of the franchise’s ‘Heat Culture.’

• “It’s definitely real,” Giannis told The Athletic of Heat Culture. “Communication. Hard work. Competition. Being direct. It’s almost like two timelines are meeting one another. I’m just being myself.”

It’s a strong match in Minnesota, too. Ball and Edwards have long brought their own brand of energy to the floor. Now teammates, the fellow All-Star guards are discovering just how much they click.

• “He gone match my energy,” said Edwards when asked his favorite thing about Ball. “He’s gonna be lifted up in the morning … just like me.”
• “He works out hard as hell,” Ball said of Ant in an interview with Michael Grady. “He wants to be the best. Me, likewise, too. It’s only going to get better.”

Another new era begins in the nightcap as the Lakers open their first season without LeBron James since 2017-18, with Luka Dončić leading the way. | Lakers Season Preview

Standing on the other side? Steph Curry’s Warriors, setting up a showdown between two of the game’s most prolific scorers (10 ET, ESPN).

• Luka Magic: Dončić enters the season coming off his second career scoring title (33.5 ppg), having led the NBA with 44 games of 30+ points and 16 of 40+
• Steph Still Splashing: Despite playing just 43 games, Curry averaged an NBA-best 4.4 made 3s last season, earning his 12th All-Star nod

Now, both superstars enter the season with familiar faces by their sides and new talent around them, as each looks to lead his team through a loaded West.

• Dubs Blend: Curry enters year 18, and his 15th alongside Draymond Green, as the two seek their fifth championship together. But Golden State also has some fresh talent, highlighted by No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg | Warriors Season Preview
• Luka’s Lakers: Following James’ departure, Dončić takes the reins with a revamped supporting cast featuring Walker Kessler and Sandro Mamukelashvili, and an elevated leadership role – one that he’s embracing
• “Obviously, it’s a new challenge,” said Dončić at Media Day. “But I feel great. I feel excited. I’m ready to go.”

5. AROUND THE NBA: WHAT TO WATCH ON LEAGUE PASS

Nothing says Opening Week like tapping into an NBA League Pass spread featuring 18 teams’ season openers.

Below is one storyline to watch in each of the nine matchups.

Hawks at Magic (7 ET): Jalen Johnson leads Atlanta into a new season, backed by the defensive trio of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels and Lu Dort as the Hawks visit Paolo Banchero’s Magic.

Bucks at Wizards (7 ET): Anthony Davis makes his Wizards debut alongside Trae Young, while Tyler Herro leads Milwaukee into a new era (No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa is out with an ankle injury.)

Bulls at Raptors (7:30 ET): Seven years after powering Toronto to its first NBA title, Kawhi Leonard begins his second stint with the Raptors alongside Scottie Barnes, facing No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson and Chicago.

Hornets at Nets (7:30 ET): With Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Grant Williams out due to injury, Brandon Miller leads the new-look Hornets into Brooklyn, where Julius Randle will make his Nets debut.

Pacers at Pelicans (8 ET): He missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in the 2025 NBA Finals. Now, Tyrese Haliburton is back as Indy opens against New Orleans.

Jazz at Grizzlies (8 ET): Top-three picks Darryn Peterson (No. 2) and Cam Boozer (No. 3) square off in their NBA debuts as Utah visits Memphis. Jaren Jackson Jr. will also play in his first game against the Grizzlies in the city that he called home for the first 8 years of his NBA career.

Mavericks at Rockets (8:30 ET): Fresh off two meetings in Macao for the NBA China Games, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs face Kevin Durant’s Rockets again, this time in Houston.

Suns at Blazers (10 ET): Sidelined last season by a torn left Achilles tendon, Damian Lillard begins a new stint in Portland – alongside Ja Morant – as the Blazers host Phoenix.

Kings at Clippers (10:30 ET): Two top-10 picks make their NBA debuts as Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 7) and Keaton Wagler (No. 5) square off in LA.