The NBA released its schedule for the 2026-27 season this week, highlighted by the showcase Christmas Day games and nationally televised matchups.
With so many star players changing teams during the offseason. the upcoming season is also interspersed with several games featuring those former franchise icons returning to face their previous teams and perhaps visiting the cities where they achieved their fame.
The NBA itself highlighted several games on the upcoming schedule in which star players will first face their former teams. Perhaps the most notable will be LeBron James returning to Los Angeles with the Philadelphia 76ers to play the Lakers on Christmas Day. James spent eight seasons with the Lakers, winning the 2020 NBA championship.
A look at some return games in the 2026-27 NBA regular season as players visit their former teams for the first time.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 13, 2026
NBA Schedule Release presented by @Ticketmasterpic.twitter.com/Tu5ddCZglc
Other notable reunions will take place in the next calendar year. Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to Milwaukee to face the Bucks with the Miami Heat on Jan. 28. The two-time NBA MVP played 13 seasons in Milwaukee and won the 2021 title with the Bucks.
Besides Antetokounmpo going to the Heat, the offseason's biggest trade was arguably Jaylen Brown being dealt to the Sixers from the Boston Celtics. Brown returns to Boston with his new team after 10 seasons and a championship with the Celtics on Jan. 21.
One of the offseason's big surprises was the Charlotte Hornets trading LaMelo Ball from a young team on the rise to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he'll be a running mate in the backcourt with Anthony Edwards. He and the T-Wolves will visit Charlotte on Feb. 15.
And though it might not have an effect on the balance of power in either the Western or Eastern Conferences, Ja Morant was once one of the NBA's brightest stars with the Memphis Grizzlies before off-the-field issues and injuries diminished his status considerably. How will Grizzlies fans greet him when he returns to Memphis on Feb. 6?
Among other players returning to their former cities to face their previous teams are Trae Young returning to Atlanta with the Washington Wizards to play the Atlanta Hawks on Nov. 6 and the Bucks' Tyler Herro playing at Miami on Nov. 18.
The entire 2026-27 NBA schedule is available to be viewed here.