Knicks celebrate championship ahead of NBA opener vs 76ers: Live updates

The NBA picked the right game to headline an opening night slate with the New York Knicks welcoming the Philadelphia 76ers to Madison Square Garden.

LeBron James begins a new era as he suits up for a Sixers squad with high aspirations. Leaving behind Hollywood for the bright lights of Philadelphia also means a great big spotlight on championship expectations.

The Knicks come in rare form, as the defending champions. While Tuesday will be a celebration of last year's triumph, the first game will go a long way to answer if they are ready to go back-to-back since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2017 and 2018.

USA TODAY Sports will have live updates, highlights and analysis for this marquee event as the Knicks take on the 76ers.

Knicks vs Sixers: How to watch, TV and time

• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 20
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
• Stream: Peacock, Fubo

Stream 76ers vs Knicks on Fubo

New-look Sixers ready for debut05:35 PM ET, October 20 2026

The Knicks aren't the only team bringing excitment to Madison Square Garden, their opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, arrive with hype of their own after signing LeBron James in free agency and acquiring Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boton Celtics during the offseaon.

James, a four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champion, and Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, join 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who finished third in the most recent Rookie of the Year voting.

Knicks championship shirts ready at Madison Square Garden05:30 PM ET, October 20 2026, Victoria Hernandez

The New York Knicks are celebrating their first NBA Finals win in 53 years at their season opener.

Ahead of the doors opening at Madison Square Garden, each seat was given a gray T-shirt that says "2026-27 Champions Night" in gold letters with an image of the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

The Knicks won last year's championship, which was the 2025-26 season. Some people on social media are pointing out that the wording of the T-shirts is a bit funny. Philadelphia Inquirer editor DeAntae Prince joked that "The Knicks have crowned themselves as the 2026-27 champions…. Prior to the season opener."

let the vibes commence 🏆

giveaway item of the game | @Chasepic.twitter.com/yXTgkARe2e

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 20, 2026

Title celebration to precede Knicks vs Sixers05:07 PM ET, October 20 2026, Ellen J. Horrow

The buzz in Midtown Manhattan will be even larger than usual as the New York Knicks raise their championship banner and receive their championship rings before taking the court for one of the most highly anticipated season openers in recent memory.

The Knicks won their first championship in 53 years this summer, defeating Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the 2026 NBA Finals. Now, nearly all of the players that were part of that title-winning team, including Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, will be back on the court at Madison Square Garden for the season opener against the new-look Philadelphia 76ers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Knicks celebrate championship ahead of NBA opener vs 76ers: Live updates

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.