NBA Schedule 2026-27: Key Dates, Games Today, TV & Team Schedules
The NBA schedule 2026-27 runs from opening night on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 to the NBA Finals in June 2027. All 30 teams play 82 regular-season games, with the NBA Cup, Christmas Day and All-Star Weekend along the way.
This guide covers every key date, today’s games with live scores, national TV channels and links to each team’s full schedule.
NBA Schedule 2026-27: Key Dates
Here are the official dates for the 2026-27 season, from the preseason to the Finals.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Preseason Begins | October 3, 2026 | Raptors vs. Heat in Quebec City |
| Opening Night | October 20, 2026 | Three games on NBC and Peacock |
| NBA Cup Group Play | October 30 to November 27, 2026 | Group games count in the standings |
| NBA Cup Quarterfinals | December 4-5, 2026 | Single-game knockout round |
| NBA Cup Semifinals | December 8-9, 2026 | Final four teams |
| NBA Cup Championship | December 11, 2026 | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Five games on ABC and ESPN |
| Trade Deadline | February 11, 2027 | Last day for trades |
| NBA All-Star Weekend | February 19-21, 2027 | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Regular Season Ends | April 11, 2027 | All 30 teams play |
| Play-In Tournament | April 13-16, 2027 | Seeds 7 to 10 in each conference |
| NBA Playoffs Begin | April 17, 2027 | First round |
| NBA Finals | June 2027 | Dates to be announced |
Opening Night Games (October 20, 2026)
All three opening night games air on NBC and stream on Peacock. Times are Eastern Time (ET).
- Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons, 3 p.m. ET
- Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks, 7 p.m. ET
- Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, 9:30 p.m. ET
Christmas Day Games (December 25, 2026)
Five games air on ABC and ESPN. The day opens with a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals.
- San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks, 12 p.m. ET
- Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics, 2:30 p.m. ET
- Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers, 5 p.m. ET
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m. ET
- Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET
Today’s NBA Games, Scores and TV Schedule
Check today’s matchups with tip-off times in ET and your local time. Scores update live during games, and you can move to any date to see results or upcoming games. For a full daily view, visit our NBA games today page.
No NBA games on this date.
Times in ET, with your local time. Scores update on their own every 30 seconds while games are on.
NBA Schedule by Team
Every team plays 41 home and 41 road games across the Eastern and Western Conferences. Pick your team below to see its full schedule with dates, opponents, tip-off times and TV channels.
Eastern Conference teams by division:
| Atlantic | Central | Southeast |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks |
| Brooklyn Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Hornets |
| New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic |
| Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards |
Western Conference teams by division:
| Northwest Division | Pacific Division | Southwest Division |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
Want to see where every team stands? Check the latest NBA standings.
Where to Watch NBA Games in 2026-27
The 2026-27 season is the second year of the NBA’s national TV deal with ESPN and ABC, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video. TNT is no longer a national partner.
ESPN and ABC
ESPN carries midweek national games, and ABC airs weekend showcases. The two networks share all five Christmas Day games, and ABC is home to the NBA Finals.
NBC and Peacock
NBC and Peacock carry about 100 regular-season games, including all three opening night games this season. Our NBA on Peacock guide covers the schedule and cost.
Prime Video
Prime Video streams about 66 regular-season games, plus the Play-In Tournament and the NBA Cup knockout rounds. See our NBA on Prime Video guide for the full schedule.
NBA League Pass and Live TV Streaming
NBA League Pass streams out-of-market games live and on demand. Live TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo carry the national channels. Games not on national TV air on each team’s local broadcast or regional sports network.
Outside the United States
Fans in most countries can watch every game on NBA League Pass. Local broadcasters in Europe, Asia and Australia also carry select games.
Must-Watch NBA Games in 2026-27
The New York Knicks open their title defense at home against the 76ers on opening night. On Christmas Day, the Knicks host the Spurs in a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals.
The NBA Cup adds weeks of high-stakes games in November and December, ending with the championship in Indianapolis on December 11. Classic rivalries like Celtics vs. Lakers and Knicks vs. Celtics fill the calendar from October to April.
As the playoff race tightens in March and April, games between top seeds shape the standings. The Play-In Tournament from April 13 to 16 then decides the final playoff spots.
NBA Schedule 2026-27 FAQs
When does the 2026-27 NBA season start and end?
The regular season starts Tuesday, October 20, 2026 and ends Sunday, April 11, 2027. The Play-In Tournament runs April 13 to 16, the playoffs begin April 17 and the NBA Finals follow in June 2027.
How many games does each NBA team play?
Each team plays 82 regular-season games, 41 at home and 41 on the road. NBA Cup group and knockout games count toward that total, except the championship game.
When is the 2027 NBA All-Star Game?
NBA All-Star Weekend runs February 19 to 21, 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona.
When is the 2026 NBA Cup final?
The NBA Cup championship is Friday, December 11, 2026 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What NBA games are on Christmas Day 2026?
Five games air on ABC and ESPN: Spurs at Knicks, Heat vs. Celtics, 76ers at Lakers, Thunder at Timberwolves and Nuggets at Warriors.
Who are the defending NBA champions?
The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Finals, beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1. Jalen Brunson was named Finals MVP.
Where can I watch NBA games in 2026-27?
National games air on ESPN, ABC, NBC, Peacock and Prime Video. Out-of-market games stream on NBA League Pass, and other games air on local team broadcasts.
How can I get NBA tickets?
Buy tickets through official team websites or trusted marketplaces such as Ticketmaster and StubHub. Book early for rivalry games and marquee dates like opening night and Christmas Day.
Bookmark this page to follow the NBA schedule all season. We update key dates, TV details and team schedules as the league confirms them, from opening night through the 2027 NBA Finals.
