The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks will clash on Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden to open the 2026-27 season in a highly anticipated matchup. The new-look Sixers led by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown will look to make a statement and spoil ring night for the champion Knicks. The Knicks swept the Sixers out of the playoffs in Round 2 back in May so it is a playoff rematch with Philadelphia, obviously, looking much different on the floor. One has to believe the Sixers will be the biggest challenger to New York's crown in the coming season due to the talent and experience the team possesses. Knicks forward OG Anunoby gave his thoughts on the matchup via Bleacher Report:
"I mean, anytime you get to play against a player like LeBron, it's an honor, especially because he might retire pretty soon," Anunoby said of the highly anticipated season-opener. "So, it'll be pretty cool. And I mean, they're a great team with a lot of great players. They've added a lot of guys this summer. And they're very well coached, Nick Nurse. So I think it'll be a really fun opening night."
Anunoby is a huge piece of the Knicks' core and somebody the Sixers will certainly have to account for in the near future. He is a solid player who knows his role and can do a number of different things out on the floor. Either way, the matchup between the Sixers and Knicks should be electric on opening night. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Knicks' OG Anunoby talks facing LeBron James, Sixers on opening night