The first meeting, whenever it lands on the NBA calendar, will be surreal.
The New York Knicks versus the Philadelphia 76ers -- the defending champions versus the team that authored this summer's most audacious transformation -- will surely be appointment viewing. There are just too many compelling storylines for it not to be.
The Knicks are the most recent example of continuity triumphing in today's league, methodical but not risk-averse behind bookended acquisitions of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The 76ers went back to the drawing board after being swept by the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs, trading for Jaylen Brown and then landing LeBron James' commitment in free agency. (This offseason was the first in league history to feature two former Finals MVPs landing with the same franchise.)
James' somewhat shocking choice was spearheaded by a belief that the 76ers presented his best chance at a fifth ring as he nears 25 years as a professional. It also put him and Brown squarely in the crosshairs of the Knicks, who are aiming to become the NBA's first repeat champions since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.
But what will happen when these two Eastern Conference giants collide on the court and not just on paper?
In the wake of James' decision -- and with the NBA expected to release its full 2026-27 schedule later this month -- ESPN spent the past week speaking with several executives, scouts and coaches about the matchups, schemes and stars that could decide Knicks-76ers: the team that knows itself versus the team learning something new every day.
"You have to approach this from scratch," an East assistant coach said of Philadelphia's approach to the season. "When you start playing, there's certain things you can't teach that you've learned over the years that are [instinctual] when you have a veteran or chemistry-laden team."