The reigning champion New York Knicks will begin their title defense tonight when they open the season against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Here’s everything fans need to know about the must-see matchup, including how to watch for free:

How to watch tonight’s game for free without cable

Tipoff for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on NBC, with streaming options available through Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and Peacock. New customers can take advantage of free trials and first-month discounts through Fubo and DirecTV Stream.

Knicks raise championship banner

The Knicks are the reigning NBA champions after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games in last year’s Finals. They’ll celebrate their third title in franchise history tonight by raising their championship banner in front of their home crowd.

LeBron joins Philadelphia

LeBron James is now playing for the Philadelphia 76ers after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and will make his debut tonight. This will be the 24th NBA season for the four-time MVP.

NBA

New York Knicks (0-0) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (0-0)

When: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Channel: NBC/Peacock