The journey for “Knicks in 5” Part II begins tonight.
Just over three months after clinching their historic NBA Finals victory, Jalen Brunson and the champion New York Knicks are set to kick off their 2026-27 NBA season at Madison Square Garden this evening.
They’ll face off against LeBron James’ revamped Philadelphia 76ers, who not only added King James but also brought in Celtics star Jaylen Brown during a busy offseason.
Watch 76ers vs. Knicks for free
- When: Oct. 20, 7 p.m. ET (pregame ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. ET)
- Where: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
- How to watch for free: DIRECTV (five-day free trial)
- Channel: NBC
This new lineup joins a solid core that includes perennial All-Star Joel Embiid and promising guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Before the game begins, New York will take a moment to celebrate their summer 2026 championship, one last time. Players and coaches will receive their championship rings, a banner will be raised, and there will be a video highlighting their path to the Larry O’Brien Trophy—their first in 53 years.
“It’s gonna be a great night,” Brunson said, smiling.
If you’re planning to catch the Knicks vs. 76ers opening night game, here’s what you should know.
76ers vs. Knicks game time
The game today (Oct. 20) is set to start at 7 p.m. ET, with the pregame ceremony kicking off at 6:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch 76ers vs. Knicks for free
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to watch the game for free.
We suggest trying DIRECTV for live TV at no charge for five days before any payments. The MySports Genre Pack ($49.99/month) or the MyNews Genre Pack ($39.99/month) are good options, both offering NBC along with over 20 other channels focused on sports.
