Josh Hart is surprised his team will be facing the Philadelphia 76ers on opening night for the 2026-27 NBA season. There may have been a hint of sarcasm in his reaction given how high-profile each matchup will be after last season and the ensuing offseason:Frankly, there is nothing surprising about the Knicks opening the NBA season at home. After all, the 76ers were the storyline of the offseason thanks to the addition of James and Jaylen Brown. They are now poised to challenge the Knicks for their crown with a lineup that includes Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Brown, James and VJ Edgecombe. In the Western Conference, a clash between the Spurs and Thunder was also expected.