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The NBA’s opening day, opening week and Christmas Day schedules were released on Monday. If there’s something fans can take from what we know so far, aside from it being a dope schedule, it seems the storyline is built around Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James.
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According to Fox Sports analyst Nick Wright, LeBron stories figuring heavily in the schedule only proves that despite being 41 years old and turning 42 before the end of 2026, King James is still the most important player in the league and without Wright saying so, still the NBA’s undisputed face.
“To me, what the league is telling us, right or wrong, is they still look at LeBron James as the main attraction of their sport. The Knicks are going to open their title defense and drop the banner; it could be against the team they beat in the finals. It could be the team that they beat en route to the Finals in the Eastern Conference. It could be the finals we didn’t get against the Thunder, the last two champions. Nope, we’re going to have LeBron in the building for that,” he said.
Nick Wright says the NBA is showing that LeBron James is still the main attraction:
“To me what the league is telling us, is they still look at LeBron James as the main attraction of their sport. The Knicks are going to open their title defense and drop the banner, it could be… pic.twitter.com/r9t5J64wji
— JayTakes (@SportsWithJay0) August 11, 2026
LBJ’s teams have played on opening nights for almost two decades
Aside from getting the assignment to try to spoil the Knicks’ ring night, the NBA also scheduled James’ first home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 22.
The Cavs aren’t just the team that originally drafted LeBron and whom he led to their first NBA title in 2016; Cleveland was one of the teams expected to sign James this summer before the Sixers pulled off the coup.
This marks the 17th time in the last 18 years that LeBron’s teams have played on opening night. Meanwhile, LeBron’s former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, despite their reputation as one of the most popular franchises in the league, will not have a game on opening night for the first time in eight years and we know the reason why.
The Lakers are, however, part of the Christmas Day slate, but only because they will be hosting LeBron for the first time since his departure.
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“And then on the marquee Christmas Day game, it’s always that third game, that 5:30 game and they put LeBron’s return to L.A. in the most viewed slot. So to me it’s noteworthy that that is what the league prioritized,” Wright added.
Related: NBA announces 2026-27 Opening Night schedule headlined by LeBron’s 76ers debut
ESPN agrees with Wright
Over at Fox’s rival network, ESPN radio host Evan Cohen said on a recent episode of First Take that the recently released NBA schedule is tailored to LeBron. And no matter who they say is the new face of the league, the reality is that 24 years later, that title still belongs to LeBron.
“Adam Silver said we have to wait for LeBron’s decision to make the schedule,” said Cohen. “I love what the NBA has done. The fact that the Knicks are gonna have ring night with LeBron James there is awesome.”
“I think the best rivalry, as it’s developing here in the NBA, is clearly San Antonio and Oklahoma City. But let’s not make any bones about it. Everyone has had this conversation: Who is the face of the league? Is it Wemby? Is it Jalen Brunson? Let’s not get this twisted. In 2026-27, LeBron James is still the face of the NBA. When we look at the schedule, it’s all around LeBron James,” he added.
Many laughed at Adam Silver when he urged LeBron to fast-track his decision so that the NBA could finalize the 2026-27 season schedule. However, Silver really meant it when he said James would be crucial to making the schedule.
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This story was originally published August 12, 2026 at 1:29 AM.