20 Days Until Tip-Off: The NBA Stories That Will Own October
Twenty days until the NBA is back — and the league flipped upside down over the summer. LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers to begin his record 24th season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Miami Heat. The New York Knicks will raise a championship banner at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1973. Training camps are opening now, and opening night (Tuesday, October 20) is a tripleheader: Celtics-Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, then 76ers-Knicks, then a Thunder-Spurs Western Conference Finals rematch.
Five Stories That Will Own October
1. LeBron in Philly. The four-time champion joining a 76ers team that also added Jaylen Brown is the biggest shake-up of the era. His first look at the new-look squad comes against Cleveland on October 22 — after the season opener at the Garden. 2. Banner night in New York. The defending champion Knicks host Philadelphia on October 20, with the franchise's first banner in 53 years going up before the ball tips. 3. Giannis in South Beach. His Heat debut comes October 21 against a Timberwolves team that added LaMelo Ball. 4. The WestFinalists run it back. Thunder-Spurs closed last season's Western Conference Finals 4-3 — they meet again on opening night. 5. Curry vs Doncic, California style. Two of the game's great shooters open against each other when the Warriors visit the Lakers on October 21.
The Jerseys for the Run-Up
Jalen Brunson
The 2026 champion's white Association jersey — the face of the banner that finally goes up on October 20.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum's white City Edition — Boston opens the entire NBA season in Detroit, and No. 0 leads the way.
Allen Iverson
The Answer's white No. 3 — Philadelphia basketball history as the LeBron era begins.
Shai Gilgeous
SGA's City Edition swingman — the reigning MVP force opens the season in San Antonio.
Victor Wembanyama
Wemby's black City Edition — the most anticipated big man of the generation, back for year three of the rematch era.
Dwyane Wade
Wade's black City Edition No. 3 — Miami heritage as Giannis writes the next Heat chapter.
LeBron James
The Laker chapter that won a ring in 2020 — still one of the most worn jerseys in the building every night.
Stephen Curry
Curry's white Association swingman — 4.4 threes a game last season, and the October 21 California clash starts here.
Countdown merch, sorted — jump straight to the teams that matter this October:
Quick Answers
When does the 2026-27 NBA season start?
Opening night is Tuesday, October 20, 2026 — a tripleheader of Celtics at Pistons (3 p.m. ET), 76ers at Knicks (7 p.m. ET) and Thunder at Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET), all on NBC.
Where did LeBron James sign?
LeBron joined the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, beginning his record 24th NBA season. The Knicks host the 76ers on opening night after raising their 2026 championship banner.
Are these jerseys in stock?
Yes — everything above ships now, with swingman, classic and City Edition ranges across all 30 teams in our basketball collection.
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