LeBron James. Image via: Michael Reaves/ Getty Images
20 against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, a matchup that doubles as New York’s championship ring night. The 41-year-old signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia in July after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, joining Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired Jaylen Brown. Ticket prices for the opener are already trending toward record territory for a Knicks home game, driven by the franchise’s first title celebration since 1973. The NBA released its opening night schedule this week, and the league built the marquee slot around two storylines colliding at once: James starting over with his fourth franchise, and New York honoring the roster that beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 Finals. The 76ers reshaped their roster around James this offseason, adding 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown from Boston to a group that already featured Embiid and Maxey. Get-in prices have been listed as high as $1,999 on one platform and around $2,200 on another, with ESPN’s tracker showing figures as low as $2,536 and some lower-bowl seats starting near $3,479. New York’s 2024-25 opener, by comparison, had a get-in price of $350, meaning this year’s floor has climbed roughly 471 percent in two seasons. The pricing story sits alongside a financial detail on James’ side: his new contract represents a roughly $93 million cut from his final Lakers salary. 25, when the 76ers visit Los Angeles for James’ first game against the Lakers since leaving the franchise, a matchup that could also mark the first time a father plays against his son in an NBA game if Bronny James is active for L.A.
LeBron James will play his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. That move, paired with James’ arrival, shifted Philadelphia’s championship odds from long-shot territory to inside the top tier of contenders. New York, notably, swept the 76ers in last season’s second round on its way to the title, giving the opener an edge beyond the ceremony. Lakers legend Magic Johnson also shared his excitement about the game on X. Demand for the game has pushed secondary-market prices well past typical regular-season levels. Fans have already voiced frustration on social media about being priced out of a game many have waited decades to attend. He addressed the move directly when announcing his decision in July, writing on X, “This is my last decision. I’m not going for money,” before adding that he still wanted to compete for a championship with Philadelphia. A larger reunion looms on Dec. The Sixers’ season, and James’ 24th year in the league, begins with the Knicks standing between him and a clean start.
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns will collect their rings before the Knicks try to spoil James’ first appearance in a Philadelphia uniform.