LeBron James 76ers schedule: Ranking best matchups in 2026-27, from facing Bronny to Cavaliers homecoming

The Philadelphia 76ers will be appointment television in the 2026-27 NBA season, including a maximum of 34 national TV windows.

LeBron James can be thanked for that.

A team led by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown likely already would have commanded a ton of national attention, but when James put pen to paper to head to the City of Brotherly Love in July, it stamped the 76ers as a "championship or bust" team. And with Philadelphia's full schedule being released on Thursday, James' presence will make a collection of matchups even more intriguing.

From highly-anticipated matchups against his former teams, the Lakers, Cavaliers and Heat, to rivalry matchups with the Celtics and Knicks in the Eastern Conference, James will be bringing some extra juice to every 76ers game this coming season.

Here are 10 of the most entertaining matchups on James and the 76ers' schedule for 2026-27.

MORE: Ranking the most entertaining games on the full NBA schedule for 2026-27

Ranking best LeBron James games in 2026-27

10. James and Embiid vs. Wemby, Mar. 11

At this point, Victor Wembanyama looks prepared to take on the "face of the league" mantle — which has been heavily discussed for years — from James when he retires. After leading his team to the Finals at age 22, Wembanyama will be out for more again this season, already the best two-way player in the league.

In March, James will lead the 76ers to San Antonio to take on the defending Western Conference champions. Both teams will be eyeing the Larry O'Brien Trophy next June, and both have the talent to get there, making this one of many potential Finals matchups.

— 76ersMuse (@76ersMuse) August 13, 2026

With Wembanyama and Embiid having some fun head-to-head meetings in the past, the big-man rivalry will make this matchup even better.

MORE: NBA over-under predictions for 2026-27

9. LeBron vs. Kyrie in Dallas, Feb. 15

Kyrie Irving's long-term injury absence has prevented him from suiting up against James for quite some time. After putting on a show in Cleveland for years as teammates, it's always fun to see them face off. With James' age and Irving's health, it's no longer guaranteed.

In February, the 76ers are scheduled to face the Mavericks on the road, with Irving potentially back from his injury by then. He and James seem to be on much better terms nowadays, but there is always the added history of Irving leaving the Cavaliers to lead his own team in Boston.

Add in the storyline of James facing one of the NBA's premier young stars, Cooper Flagg, and this is an entertaining inter-conference matchup.

MORE: Can 76ers win championship with LeBron James?

8. Facing off vs. Kevin Durant in Houston, Nov. 28

The head-to-head rivalry between James and Kevin Durant has fallen off as they've aged, primarily because it's been rare to see them both on the court when their teams meet. The hope is that on Nov. 28, the two veterans will be healthy and available in 76ers vs. Rockets.

At this point, it's fair to question if James and Durant will ever share a court again after this season. But it's one of the greatest player vs. player rivalries in NBA history, dating back to when James was in his first Cleveland stint and Durant was a young star for the SuperSonics and Thunder.

Those two have become legends on virtually the same timeline, and for the two 76ers-Rockets games this season, fans will be hoping to catch them facing off two more times.

7. James plays in Cleveland for first time since free-agent decision, Nov. 6

Will they cheer him for the years of accomplishments, highlights and the 2016 title? Or will they boo him for choosing not to return to his roots for Year 24 despite all the free-agency connections? Perhaps it's a mix of both.

Cleveland fans' reaction to James will make this game a must-watch, but it's moved back a bit on this list because it's not the first 76ers vs. Cavaliers matchup of the season. That will come in Philadelphia a few weeks prior.

Still, with both of these teams expecting to contend at the top of the conference in 2026-27, plus the emotional value of James being in Cleveland toward the end of his storied career, this Amazon Prime game is another terrific one.

MORE LEBRON JAMES NEWS:

• Why LeBron James took massive pay cut to sign with 76ers
• First look at 76ers projected lineup with LeBron James
• How LeBron James joining 76ers impacts NBA odds

6. Sixers host Celtics in first game since Jaylen Brown deal, Nov. 10

This one is ranked a bit lower because it has more to do with James' new teammate, Brown, than himself. Sixers vs. Celtics has historically been a show — including their playoff matchup last season — and the Brown vs. Jayson Tatum matchup, plus Paul George facing Philadelphia, will be the main reason to tune in this season. But of course, James only amplifies the interest in the rivalry.

James has had some of his best career moments against the Celtics, an opponent who often bring out the best of him. It feels like forever ago when a young Tatum dunked on James in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but those two also have some entertaining head-to-head history.

Like the Sixers-Knicks matchups, the star power in this historic rivalry will be hard to ignore. George and Tatum should make the Celtics a top playoff contender in 2026-27, while Philadelphia has sky-high expectations with James around.

The 76ers-Celtics rivalry, arguably the NBA's best all-time, has gotten a massive boost this offseason. On Nov. 10 on NBC, it will be on the big stage.

5. First matchup vs. Heat since free-agent decision, Nov. 25

Pat Riley and the Heat did not hide their ambitions after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason: they wanted a reunion with James. The fit may have been clunky, but James signing with the Heat for a second time was a very real possibility. It didn't happen — and that adds some motivation to this matchup on both sides.

With this matchup coming at home for Philadelphia on ESPN, Heat fans won't be booing James, but Miami will be out to prove that he chose the wrong East contender in free agency. 

Add in some thrilling big man matchups between Embiid, Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and Sixers vs. Heat is another thrilling one early in the schedule.

MORE: Winners and losers from LeBron's latest Decision

4. First matchup vs. Warriors since free-agent decision, Mar. 24

Fans will have to wait until late in the regular season to see James take on Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the Warriors for the first time as a 76er. But the wait should be worth it, barring health for the stars.

James and Curry have been putting on a show as opponents for years, and at this point, we don't know when the last time we'll see them share a court will be. On March 24, airing on ESPN, the 76ers will head to the Bay Area to take on the Warriors on the road — and like the Heat, James will be facing a team he considered in free agency, but ultimately decided against.

Whether the Warriors will still be in playoff contention by this point remains to be seen, but Curry and Green should be plenty motivated to beat James. And if Jimmy Butler's injury recovery goes well, perhaps he's on the court for this one as well, which would add further juice as he takes on Embiid and his former 76ers squad.

3. Home debut vs. Cavaliers, Oct. 22

Can you imagine the moment James is introduced as a starter to the home crowd in Philadelphia for the first time? Fans have been pitching James on joining the Sixers for years, and it finally happened this offseason. That decision alone will likely make him a beloved figure in the city forever.

On October 22, airing on ESPN, James will take the floor in a 76ers jersey for just the second time, and the first time at home — and it will come in a captivating matchup. Just two days after he faces the Knicks in his team debut, James and the Sixers will host his former Cavaliers squad in Philadelphia.

Considering its the second game of the season, this will still be a point where the 76ers' offense will be worth watching to see how the high-usage stars are balanced. But Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and the Cavaliers have the right to take his matchup personally, with James recently spurning them in free agency.

This game won't have the appeal of James being in Cleveland, but it will have plenty more to offer.

2. 76ers debut at Madison Square Garden, Oct. 20

It's well-known that James enjoys playing at Madison Square Garden. He's among the most entertaining Knicks opponents ever, putting on some of his best performances on the road in New York City. And with the added punch of the Knicks now being the defending champions, this Opening Night game, airing on NBC, will be must-watch.

The Sixers were swept easily by the Knicks in the second round last season, but Philadelphia may be New York's biggest challenger to come out of the conference in 2026-27. The talent between these two teams is remarkable. Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown are Finals MVPs, All-Stars Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns have some history, Josh Hart, Tyrese Maxey and OG Anunoby have shined in this rivalry previously, and James — who would have signed with the Knicks this offseason if they didn't win the title, according to Rich Paul — will add the biggest star draw of them all.

— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2026

With this being the 76ers first game with James, it will also be fascinating to see how Nick Nurse runs the offense. Do Maxey and Brown settle for off-the-ball roles? How does Embiid mesh with James? The first glimpses at Philadelphia's immense talent will show at MSG on October 20, and it may take some time to get used to, but James will be wearing a new jersey for the first time on the floor.

1. First game vs. Lakers since departure, Christmas Day

In terms of storylines, there may not be many regular-season matchups in NBA history that can live up to this one.

To start, it's a Christmas Day game with LeBron James. If he's playing, he will put on a show; that's never in doubt. In 2010, he had a triple-double against the Lakers. In 2021, he went for 39 points against the Nets. And in 2024, James finished with 31 points and 10 assists in a narrow win over the Warriors.

A Celtics matchup on Christmas would have been entertaining for historical purposes, but James' first game against the Lakers since his exit this summer will certainly do. Philadelphia and Los Angeles have historically had a great rivalry — per Land of Basketball, the Lakers have 150 wins in the matchup all-time, while the 76ers have 145 — including five different NBA Finals meetings.

That's before mentioning the fact that James will be playing against his former coach, JJ Redick, and former co-stars, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. There should be plenty of motivation for James to fill the stat sheet in Los Angeles, also returning to Crypto.com Arena to see his former fans for the first time since leaving.

pic.twitter.com/1ddQTleHuW

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) August 13, 2026

And of course, there's a chance James takes the court as an opponent of his son for the first time after some long-lasting memories as teammates with the Lakers. Bronny James may not be in L.A.'s rotation, but if he does get a chance to play against his father on the floor, it will make for must-see TV.

Maybe James is cheered in his return to Los Angeles. Maybe he's booed. Regardless, Sixers vs. Lakers on Christmas Day, airing on ABC, will be one to tune into.

MORE: Where Lakers' $12.5 billion sale ranks among largest in sports history