Sixers open season at Knicks’ championship banner night

The Philadelphia 76ers are scheduled to open their 2026-27 regular season Tuesday night against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where New York will raise its championship banner and receive its rings before tipoff. The game is set for 7 p.m. ET, giving Philadelphia’s reshaped lineup its first extended regular-season test against the defending champions. The Sixers’ projected starters are Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. The five played only about half a preseason game together, according to the team preview, leaving their coordination to be tested in a high-profile road opener. Brown joined Philadelphia in a trade, while James signed a two-year deal in July. Coach Nick Nurse said Embiid was ready to play and that he felt positive about the team’s preparation, while describing the matchup as a tough test. Nurse also said the preseason offered limited insight beyond minutes and conditioning. Philadelphia went 1-3 in exhibition games, and its starters shared the floor twice, according to pregame coverage. The team has emphasized speed and transition offense, with James, Maxey and Edgecombe among the players expected to help...