The NBA's 2026-27 Opening Night was a smashing success, as two of the games (New York Knicks-Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs-Oklahoma City Thunder) on the first day of the campaign set viewership records.
“Tuesday’s 76ers-Knicks and Thunder-Spurs doubleheader was the NBA’s most-watched opening night ever, averaging 6.41 million viewers on NBC/Peacock,” the NBA Communications department shared via a social media post on X, formerly Twitter..
LeBron James' 76ers debut, in particular, “was the league’s most-watched primetime opening night game ever, averaging 7.71 million viewers and peaking at 9.1 million viewers at 9:45 p.m. ET.,” according to the announcement.
The meeting between the Knicks and the 76ers at Madison Square Garden in New York was highly anticipated. For one, it was the beginning not just of the new season but of the Knicks' title defense after ending their over five decades of championship drought in the league.
James' debut for the 76ers also added to the hype, with the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love for what could possibly be his last stop in his legendary career. Also making his Sixers debut in that same contest was Jaylen Brown, who was traded by the Boston Celtics to Philly in the summer.
Article Continues BelowThe other game was just as enticing, with the Spurs and the Thunder going at it in a rematch of the 2026 Western Conference Finals. Victor Wembanyama and company won that series to dethrone the Thunder before losing in the NBA Finals to the Knicks.
The 76ers defeated the Knicks on Opening Night,106-100, while the Thunder prevailed over the Spurs, 116-104.