Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT), nationally on ESPN in the United States. The league selected LeBron James’s first scheduled Philadelphia home game against his former Cleveland team for this opening-week broadcast.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers: time and TV
| U.S. date | Thursday, October 22, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT |
| Matchup | Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers |
| National U.S. TV | ESPN; ESPN App access depends on an eligible subscription or provider |
Why this opening-week game matters
The NBA schedule announcement identifies Cleveland as the opponent for James’s Philadelphia home opener and Donovan Mitchell as a leading Cavaliers name. That is a matchup preview, not a promise of either player’s final availability or starting role. The Cavaliers’ own season release also lists this as their opener on ESPN.
How to watch in the United States
The NBA’s ESPN and ABC schedule lists this game in Thursday’s opening-week ESPN doubleheader. An eligible TV package or ESPN App access may be required. The listing does not establish a free stream or the same broadcaster outside the U.S.; use the official NBA viewing guide for local availability.
Before tip-off
Starting lineups, player availability and the result are not assumed. Check the official game listing for changes; this URL will be updated if the NBA revises the game time or U.S. national TV selection. The October 22 NBA schedule hub covers every game that day.
Official sources: NBA Communications schedule release, NBA opening-week preview and team schedule.