NBA’s stunning schedule drop comes with interesting Lakers omission

Adam Silver and Co., we tip our hat to you. 

The schedule for opening night and Christmas were released Tuesday and there’s no shortage of juicy storylines to anticipate while we’re stuck in the doldrums of August. 

Advertisement

Here are our seven takeaways from the first batch of games that have been posted. 

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday, June 8, 2026. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images

1. Heck yes on LeBron James and the 76ers vs. the Knicks on opening night

It’s the greatest team in the league versus one of the greatest players of all-time. It’s James facing the team he would’ve joined in free agency if they hadn’t won a championship. It’s the Knicks receiving their rings in front of James, who moved across the country from his family in pursuit of his fifth title in his unprecedented 24th NBA season. 

It’s the face of the league versus a guy who had to claw his way into the national consciousness in Jalen Bruson. It’s the team atop the mountain versus the team with the best chances of usurping their spot. It’s a team that oozes chemistry versus a team that’s desperate to build it.

Advertisement

It’s Madison Square Garden. It’s New York. It’s…why do we have to wait so long for this?

2. A conspicuous absence on opening night 

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the second half against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago. (Icon Sportswire) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Opening night features the following slate: Celtics vs. Pistons, Knicks vs. 76ers and Thunder vs. Spurs. 

There’s a notable omission, eh? 

The Lakers have played on opening night seven straight years before James left in free agency this summer. That speaks volumes about James’ star power. The 17-time championship Lakers are the darlings of the league, sitting in one of the biggest media markets. They have Luka Doncic, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season. But without James, none of that mattered….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-stunning-schedule-drop-comes-213153732.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-08-11 21:31:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.