Knicks' Josh Hart Reacts to 2026 NBA Opening Night Schedule, Matchup With LeBron, 76ers

Josh Hart is surprised his team will be facing the Philadelphia 76ers on opening night for the 2026-27 NBA season.

Well, maybe he's surprised.

Hart reacted to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania that revealed the NBA's opening night slate on Oct. 20 will feature a showdown between Hart's New York Knicks and LeBron James' 76ers before a Western Conference Finals rematch between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

There may have been a hint of sarcasm in his reaction given how high-profile each matchup will be after last season and the ensuing offseason:

Frankly, there is nothing surprising about the Knicks opening the NBA season at home.

They are the reigning champions playing in a major market and will surely celebrate their accomplishment by raising a banner to the rafters and receiving their rings. It will be a night of celebration at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks and their fans who have waited since 1973 to celebrate a championship.

Knicks-Spurs Highlights

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Philadelphia being the team to come to town is also anything but a surprise.

After all, the 76ers were the storyline of the offseason thanks to the addition of James and Jaylen Brown. They are now poised to challenge the Knicks for their crown with a lineup that includes Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Brown, James and VJ Edgecombe.

It is arguably the best starting five in the league, but they and everyone else will be chasing the Knicks after New York won the title.

In the Western Conference, a clash between the Spurs and Thunder was also expected. They battled each other in a memorable seven-game Western Conference Finals last season and figure to be on the short list of title contenders for years to come with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama leading young cores.

Much of the attention was on the Eastern Conference this offseason with James' decision and the Boston Celtics trading Brown to the 76ers, but the title may ultimately run through the West with these talented teams loaded on paper.

New York got the best of San Antonio last season, but the Spurs and Thunder figure to be among the last teams standing come playoff time once again this season.