The 2025-26 NBA season schedule is here, with the league dropping the full NBA slate this afternoon for all the teams in the league. Pieces of the schedule dropped earlier this week, highlighting the matchups on national TV during the Emirates NBA Cup.
With the full schedule out for the Sixers, take a look at ten of the most anticipated matchups on the calendar:
Oct. 22 @ Boston Celtics
The Sixers start the season in Boston for the third time in the last seven years, continuing their unofficial rivalry with the Celtics. Philadelphia will likely begin the season without Joel Embiid and Paul George due to their respective knee injuries. With two of its three stars out, the league will get a look at the Sixers’ guard-heavy attack led by Tyrese Maxey, second-year player Jared McCain, and rookie VJ Edgecombe.
The Celtics will also look different from how they have in the last few seasons. Jayson Tatum will be out, still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in the second round of last season’s NBA playoffs. Boston newcomer Anfernee Simons will make his regular-season debut after being traded to the Celtics in exchange for Jrue Holiday.
Oct. 25 vs. Charlotte Hornets
After a few days off from their opening matchup against the Celtics, the Sixers return to Philadelphia on October 25th for their home opener at the newly renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena. They will face the young Hornets core, paced by LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Playing Charlotte at home could allow the fans to see their second home opening win in the last four years, with the Hornets expected to be in the cellar of the Eastern Conference again.
Nov. 5 @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The Sixers will get their first crack at the Eastern Conference’s top team from last season. It will be a solid early-season test to see where they stack up in the East hierarchy. They may not have Joel Embiid back by early November, but Paul George should be back for this matchup. George had one of his best games as a Sixer last season against the Cavs and will need to reach into his bag and pull out a vintage performance.
Dec. 7 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Lebron James and Luka Doncic will travel to Philadelphia in early December to pack out Xfinity Mobile Arena. This could be James’ last trip to Philadelphia, as speculation around his retirement has grown this offseason. The last time Los Angeles came to Philly, Maxey scored 43 points in a blowout Sixers win, and the team will be hoping for a similar outcome.
Dec. 12 vs. Dallas Mavericks
December 12th brings one of the most anticipated rookie matchups of the season, with the No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg coming to Philadelphia to face off against the No. 3 pick, VJ Edgecombe. These two players have matched up in high school and even in the NCAA tournament, with some trash talk ensuing between both players.
Could this be a glimpse of an early rivalry?
Jan. 5 vs. Denver Nuggets
We all know why this is circled on the NBA calendar for the Sixers: the annual Philadelphia showdown between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. Embiid did not suit up against Jokic last season, but he had played him at home the previous three seasons. The two former MVPs have not faced off in Denver since 2019, so if we are going to get the face-off, it would likely be in Philadelphia.
March 3 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper come to Philly in March to face off against Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. This has some potential with Embiid and Wemby matching up and the second and third overall picks going head-to-head. The Sixers were reportedly interested in trading up for Dylan Harper if the price was right, so Edgecombe can show that it was right for them to sit back and pick him at three.
The last time Embiid faced off against Wemby and the Spurs, he scored a career-high 70 points, which tied 13th all-time. The French phenom is much better than he was two seasons ago and would also like to show how dominant he can be.
March 21 @ Utah Jazz
VJ Edgecombe faces off with Ace Bailey, whom the Sixers potentially considered taking with the third pick in the NBA draft. Bailey did not want to be picked by the Sixers, and they went with the player they felt best fit their current situation. Edgecombe will likely have some juice in this one and returns to Utah, where he debuted in the Summer league, scoring 28 points, pulling down 10 rebounds, and dishing four assists.
March 23 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The defending NBA Champions make their way to Philadelphia late in the season, and the Sixers, hopefully at full health, get to take their shot at the champs at home. Joel Embiid has had some really solid performances against the Thunder when he has played against them. If the Sixers are making a playoff push, this is a perfect late-season test for them.
April 12 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The last day of the regular season against the Bucks could be one of the season’s biggest games. Philly could be playing for a playoff or play-in berth, and this game against Milwaukee could determine where they fall in the standings. The Sixers fans would also love to boo former Sixers head coach Doc Rivers if he is still employed by the Bucks that late in the season.
