NBA Today 2026: Opening Night Schedule, TV Channels, Live Scores and 2026-27 Season Storylines

NBA Opening Night 2026 tips off tonight, Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with a two-game slate: the Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Both games are also streaming on NBA League Pass and ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers. The 2026-27 season opens with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder as title favorites, per ESPN BET, while the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves are the top challengers in the Western Conference.

What is the NBA today schedule for October 20, 2026?

The NBA today schedule features two games on Opening Night: Celtics vs. 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT) and Lakers vs. Warriors at 10 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock). Both games are available on NBA League Pass and ESPN+ for out-of-market subscribers, with live score updates on NBA.com and the NBA app.

Where can I watch NBA games today on TV and streaming?

NBA games today are broadcast nationally on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBC, with streaming available on Max, ESPN+, Peacock and NBA League Pass. According to the NBA's 2026-27 national television schedule, TNT airs Tuesday night games, ESPN airs Wednesday and Friday games, ABC airs Saturday primetime and NBC airs Sunday and select weeknight games.

• TNT: Tuesday night doubleheaders, streaming on Max
• ESPN: Wednesday and Friday games, streaming on ESPN+ and ESPN Unlimited
• ABC: Saturday primetime and Christmas Day games, streaming on ESPN+
• NBC and Peacock: Sunday games and select weeknight matchups
• NBA League Pass: Out-of-market games, streaming on NBA app and NBA.com

Who are the hosts and cast for NBA today shows in 2026?

NBA today hosts and cast in 2026 include Malika Andrews as host of NBA Today on ESPN, with analysts Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike, Richard Jefferson and Ramona Shelburne. The female hosts on NBA today include Malika Andrews, Chiney Ogwumike, Ramona Shelburne and Monica McNutt, who joined ESPN's NBA coverage in 2025.

"NBA Today airs weekdays at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN, with Malika Andrews hosting and a rotating cast of analysts including Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike and Richard Jefferson," according to ESPN's 2026-27 NBA coverage announcement.

What are the biggest storylines for the 2026-27 NBA season?

The biggest 2026-27 NBA storylines are the Oklahoma City Thunder's title defense, Victor Wembanyama's MVP chase with the San Antonio Spurs, the New York Knicks' Eastern Conference push and the Philadelphia 76ers' health questions around Joel Embiid and Paul George. According to The Athletic's 24 big questions for the 2026-27 season, the Thunder enter as defending champions with the league's best young core, while the Knicks and 76ers are the top threats in the East.

What do experts predict for the 2026-27 NBA Finals?

Experts predict the Oklahoma City Thunder will repeat as NBA champions in 2026-27, with the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets as the top challengers. According to CBS Sports' 2026-27 season predictions, 7 of 12 experts picked the Thunder to win the title, while 3 picked the Knicks and 2 picked the Nuggets.

ESPN's 2026-27 season preview ranked the Thunder No. 1 in its preseason power rankings, followed by the Knicks, Nuggets, Celtics and Timberwolves. The Athletic's preseason projections gave the Thunder a league-best 58.5 win projection, with the Knicks at 54.2 and the Nuggets at 52.8.

What are the key dates on the 2026-27 NBA schedule?

The 2026-27 NBA season runs from October 20, 2026 to April 12, 2027, with the All-Star Game on February 21, 2027 in Phoenix, the play-in tournament from April 14-17, 2027 and the NBA Finals beginning June 3, 2027. The trade deadline is February 4, 2027, and the NBA Draft is June 24, 2027.

Which players are favorites for the 2026-27 NBA MVP?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite to win the 2026-27 NBA MVP at +280, followed by Victor Wembanyama at +450, Nikola Jokic at +500 and Luka Doncic at +700, according to ESPN BET. Gilgeous-Alexander won the 2025-26 MVP after averaging 32.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Thunder.

Wembanyama averaged 26.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game in 2025-26, leading the Spurs to the Western Conference semifinals. According to NBA.com's 2026-27 GM survey, 42 percent of general managers picked Wembanyama to win his first MVP award this season.

How can I follow live NBA scores today?

Live NBA scores today are available on NBA.com, the NBA app, ESPN.com and the ESPN app, with real-time updates on NBA League Pass and social media. According to NBA Digital, the NBA app averaged 12.4 million monthly active users in 2025-26, a 22 percent increase year over year.

• NBA.com: Live scores, box scores and play-by-play
• NBA app: Live scores, highlights and League Pass streaming
• ESPN.com and ESPN app: Live scores, analysis and highlights
• NBA League Pass: Out-of-market live game streaming

What is the NBA today show and who are its female hosts?

NBA Today is ESPN's weekday NBA studio show airing at 3 p.m. ET, hosted by Malika Andrews with analysts including Chiney Ogwumike, Ramona Shelburne and Monica McNutt. The show debuted in 2021 and has become ESPN's flagship NBA news and analysis program, with Andrews as the lead host since its launch.

According to ESPN, NBA Today averaged 412,000 viewers in 2025-26, a 9 percent increase from the prior season, driven by coverage of the Thunder's title run and the Lakers' sale saga.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do NBA games start today?

NBA games today start at 7:30 p.m. ET (Celtics vs. 76ers) and 10 p.m. ET (Lakers vs. Warriors) on October 20, 2026.

What channel is the NBA game on tonight?

The Celtics vs. 76ers game is on TNT, and the Lakers vs. Warriors game is on NBC and Peacock.

Who is hosting NBA Today on ESPN in 2026?

Malika Andrews hosts NBA Today on ESPN, with analysts Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike, Richard Jefferson and Ramona Shelburne.

Who are the female hosts on NBA Today?

The female hosts on NBA Today include Malika Andrews, Chiney Ogwumike, Ramona Shelburne and Monica McNutt.

Who is favored to win the 2026-27 NBA championship?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored at +350, followed by the New York Knicks at +750 and the Denver Nuggets at +900, according to ESPN BET.

When is the 2027 NBA All-Star Game?

The 2027 NBA All-Star Game is on February 21, 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona.

How can I watch NBA games online today?

You can watch NBA games online today on Max (TNT games), Peacock (NBC games), ESPN+ (ESPN and ABC games) and NBA League Pass (out-of-market games).