# 2026–27 Philadelphia 76ers season
The **2026–27 Philadelphia 76ers season** is the 76ers' 81st NBA season, which opened on October 20, 2026 against the defending champion [New York Knicks](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-knicks) and runs through a regular-season finale on April 11, 2027 against the [Charlotte Hornets](https://www.edgepedia.org/charlotte-hornets). The team enters the season after an offseason in which it traded for [Jaylen Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/jaylen-brown) and signed LeBron James, joining Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe on a roster built to contend for a championship.[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) • [2](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-season-preview-phi?lid=zs9j65f2bbtp)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Previous season | 45–37, 7th in the Eastern Conference, eliminated in the conference semifinals[2](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-season-preview-phi?lid=zs9j65f2bbtp) |
| Head coach | Nick Nurse, entering his fourth season[3](https://hoopsnightly.com/teams/76ers/season) |
| Key additions | Jaylen Brown, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ariel Hukporti, LeBron James, Labaron Philon Jr., Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade[2](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-season-preview-phi?lid=zs9j65f2bbtp) |
| Season opener | Tuesday, Oct. 20 at New York, 7 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) |
| Home opener | Thursday, Oct. 22 vs. Cleveland, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) |
| National games | 34, the league maximum[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) |
| Back-to-backs | 13, down from 16 the previous season[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) |
| Regular-season finale | Sunday, April 11 vs. Charlotte, 6 p.m. ET[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) |
## Offseason: James and Brown arrive
**LeBron James** announced on social media on July 24, 2026 that he was joining the 76ers, describing the choice as his "last decision" after strongly considering retirement. The NBA's all-time leading scorer said, "I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time."[4](https://apnews.com/article/1db738a3a8c29aab2be24b1bc8082ae9) The signing became official on July 27, 2026, a two-year, $8 million contract.[3](https://hoopsnightly.com/teams/76ers/season)
The other headline move was an in-division trade with the [Boston Celtics](https://www.edgepedia.org/boston-celtics): Philadelphia sent [Paul George](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-george), two first-round picks, and two second-round picks to Boston for Jaylen Brown, a five-time NBA All-Star.[3](https://hoopsnightly.com/teams/76ers/season) • [5](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-nba-regular-season-schedule) The Atlantic Division saw no comparable shakeup, with the Celtics–76ers swap described as its biggest tremor.[6](https://cdn-uat.nba.com/news/atlantic-division-offseason-recap-look-ahead)
Further additions rounded out the roster: [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope](https://www.edgepedia.org/kentavious-caldwell-pope), Ariel Hukporti, Labaron Philon Jr., Anfernee Simons, and Dean Wade.[2](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-season-preview-phi?lid=zs9j65f2bbtp) To stay below the first apron of the salary cap system, the franchise parted with Johni Broome, finishing 1.8 million below the threshold to avoid a heavy tax payment.[7](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/las-dudas-de-los-sixers-de-lebron-f202607-n/)
## Roster and coaching
[Nick Nurse](https://www.edgepedia.org/nick-nurse) enters his fourth season as head coach of a team built around [Joel Embiid](https://www.edgepedia.org/joel-embiid), the 2023 league MVP who arrived as the third pick in the 2014 draft, and [Tyrese Maxey](https://www.edgepedia.org/tyrese-maxey), who averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists over 70 games last season.[3](https://hoopsnightly.com/teams/76ers/season) The projected starting five alongside James is Jaylen Brown, Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Embiid, with Anfernee Simons as head of the second unit.[7](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/las-dudas-de-los-sixers-de-lebron-f202607-n/) Edgecombe is expected to improve after an electric rookie year.[2](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-season-preview-phi?lid=zs9j65f2bbtp)
Physical durability is the central uncertainty. James, who turns 42 during the season, and Embiid both raise questions about whether the core can hold up across an 82-game regular season and arrive at the playoffs in the best condition.[7](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/las-dudas-de-los-sixers-de-lebron-f202607-n/)
## Schedule and marquee games
The NBA released the full 2026–27 schedule on August 13, 2026.[5](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-nba-regular-season-schedule) Philadelphia opens on the road at [Madison Square Garden](https://www.edgepedia.org/madison-square-garden) in the second game of the NBA's opening-day tripleheader, with the Knicks raising their 2025–26 championship banner before hosting the 76ers as James and Brown make their Philadelphia debuts.[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) • [5](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-nba-regular-season-schedule) The home opener two days later against the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland-cavaliers) marks the regular-season debut of the new-look 76ers at [Xfinity Mobile Arena](https://www.edgepedia.org/xfinity-mobile-arena).[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more)
**Christmas Day** sends the Sixers to Los Angeles to face the Lakers at [Crypto.com Arena](https://www.edgepedia.org/crypto-com-arena) at 5 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN, a game marking James's first NBA matchup against his son, [Bronny James](https://www.edgepedia.org/bronny-james), as he goes back to the arena where he spent his previous eight seasons. It is the second Sixers–Lakers Christmas meeting, after a 2001 rematch of the previous season's [NBA Finals](https://www.edgepedia.org/nba-finals).[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) The game is part of a five-game holiday road trip, the team's longest of the season, running from December 25 through January 1 against the Lakers, LA Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks.[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more)
In the **Emirates NBA Cup**, the Sixers were drawn into East Group B with the Cavaliers, Knicks, Heat, and Pacers, playing two home and two road group games from October 30 through November 27 as they seek their first Knockout Round appearance.[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) Other notable dates include a January 18 MLK Day game at Atlanta (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock), a February 15 Presidents' Day matinee at Dallas, and a longest homestand of four games from February 5 through February 11 against Detroit, Boston, Brooklyn, and New York.[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more) The season carries 34 national games, the league maximum, and 13 back-to-backs, down from 16 the previous season.[1](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more)
## Preseason and early results
Training camp opened in early October, with the 2026–27 Sixers featuring newly acquired stars James and Brown beginning practice after Monday's Media Day.[8](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/2026-sixers-training-camp-notes-quotes) The four-game preseason slate began Monday, October 5 against New York at Xfinity Mobile Arena.[8](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/2026-sixers-training-camp-notes-quotes)
## Expectations
The offseason overhaul placed Philadelphia among the teams most discussed as title contenders. A simulation-based projection model that plays every remaining game 5,000 times puts the 76ers fourth with a projected 49.3–32.7 record, a 64% playoff chance, and a 94% chance of reaching the play-in.[9](https://hoopvantage.com/season-preview) ESPN's annual expert panel assigned the 76ers 51 points in its Eastern Conference championship voting.[10](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49650138/nba-predictions-2026-27expert-picks-predictions-western-eastern-conference-finals-champions) Spanish commentary ahead of the season framed the team as a first-level contender if James, Brown, and the rest of the core each accept their roles under Nurse.[11](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2026/10/14/guia-nba-2026-funcionara-el-megaproyecto-de-los-sixers-como-le-ira-a-doncic-sin-lebron-que-espanol-tendra-mas-protagonismo-cadena-ser/)
## References
1. [Philadelphia 76ers 2026-27 Schedule Release: Marquee Matchups and More, Philadelphia Sixers](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/philadelphia-76ers-2026-27-schedule-release-marquee-matchups-and-more)
2. [2026-27 Season Preview: Philadelphia 76ers, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-season-preview-phi?lid=zs9j65f2bbtp)
3. [76ers season so far 2026-27, 76ers Nightly](https://hoopsnightly.com/teams/76ers/season)
4. [LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers, saying it will be his 'last decision', AP News](https://apnews.com/article/1db738a3a8c29aab2be24b1bc8082ae9)
5. [NBA announces schedule for 2026-27 season, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-27-nba-regular-season-schedule)
6. [Atlantic Division: Offseason recap and a look ahead to the 2026-27 season, NBA.com](https://cdn-uat.nba.com/news/atlantic-division-offseason-recap-look-ahead)
7. [Las dudas de los Sixers de LeBron, AS](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/las-dudas-de-los-sixers-de-lebron-f202607-n/)
8. [2026 Sixers Training Camp Notes & Quotes, Philadelphia Sixers](https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/2026-sixers-training-camp-notes-quotes)
9. [2026-27 NBA Standings Predictions & Projected Win Totals, HoopVantage](https://hoopvantage.com/season-preview)
10. [ESPN's annual NBA Conference Champions and Championship Predictions, ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49650138/nba-predictions-2026-27expert-picks-predictions-western-eastern-conference-finals-champions)
11. [Guía NBA 2026: ¿Funcionará el megaproyecto de los Sixers?, Cadena SER](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2026/10/14/guia-nba-2026-funcionara-el-megaproyecto-de-los-sixers-como-le-ira-a-doncic-sin-lebron-que-espanol-tendra-mas-protagonismo-cadena-ser/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Basketball and court team sports › NBA and WNBA (North American professional basketball) › NBA and WNBA seasons, champions, and records*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license