The 2026-27 NBA season isn't just a schedule; it's a dramatic saga waiting to unfold, packed with emotional homecomings that will define rivalries and test allegiances. Prepare for fireworks as titans like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jaylen Brown step back onto hallowed ground, this time wearing different colors. These "return games" are more than just basketball; they're monumental moments etched into league lore.
Key Return Games to Mark Your Calendar:
- LeBron James makes his highly anticipated return to Los Angeles on Christmas Day with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis face their former Milwaukee Bucks teammates in an emotional reunion on January 28.
- Jaylen Brown returns to Boston as a 76er on January 21, setting up a clash of Eastern Conference rivals.
- Stars like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and LaMelo Ball also have poignant homecomings this season.
The King's Journey: LeBron James' LA Comeback
The biggest shockwave of the offseason saw LeBron James depart the Los Angeles Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers. After eight iconic seasons, the King will finally face his former team at the Crypto.com Arena on December 25. This Christmas Day showdown, broadcast on ABC and ESPN, promises to be an instant classic, with LeBron challenging Luka Dončić and his former squad on one of the league's biggest stages.
But the emotional tours don't stop there. James will also revisit past kingdoms: he heads back to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers on November 6 (Prime Video) and returns to Miami to battle the Heat on January 30 (ABC). Each stop is a chapter in his legendary career.
The Greek Freak's Bittersweet Farewell: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Reunion
Thirteen seasons, two Kia MVPs, a 2021 NBA title, and a Finals MVP — that's the legacy Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves with the Milwaukee Bucks. After a blockbuster trade sent him and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat, the Greek Freak makes his emotional return to Milwaukee on January 28 (Prime). Expect a raucous welcome mixed with the sting of departure from the passionate Bucks faithful.
Portis, a key cog in that 2021 championship squad, will share in the homecoming experience. The Heat also host the Bucks earlier in the season on November 18 (ESPN), offering an immediate clash of former teammates.
A Shocking Shift: Jaylen Brown's Boston Betrayal
Ten seasons, a 2024 NBA title, two Finals appearances, and a 2024 Finals MVP—Jaylen Brown was synonymous with the Boston Celtics. His stunning trade to the rival Philadelphia 76ers sent shockwaves through the league. Now, alongside LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, Brown will return to the TD Garden on January 21 (Prime Video). This matchup against his former Celtics teammates, including Jayson Tatum, is poised to be one of the most intense of the 2026-27 season. The Celtics also visit Philadelphia earlier on November 10 (NBC/Peacock).
Fresh Starts, Familiar Courts: Other Big Name Returns
The 2026-27 schedule is littered with other high-stakes reunions:
- Ja Morant, after seven seasons as the face of the Memphis Grizzlies, heads back to Memphis with the Portland Trail Blazers on February 6 (Prime).
- LaMelo Ball, a Kia Rookie of the Year and All-Star with Charlotte, makes his first visit to the Hornets as a Minnesota Timberwolf on February 15 (NBC/Peacock).
- Jaren Jackson Jr., the 2022-23 Kia Defensive Player of the Year, returns to Memphis for the Utah Jazz's season opener on October 21 (League Pass), after a mid-season trade last year.
- Veteran guard Mike Conley, now with the Boston Celtics, will face his former Minnesota Timberwolves on February 28 (NBC/Peacock).
- Naz Reid, the 2023-24 Kia Sixth Man of the Year, returns to Minnesota with the Charlotte Hornets on January 29 (ESPN) during AWS NBA Rivals Week.
More Must-Watch Matchups on the Calendar
Beyond the headline-grabbers, several other players will have their own emotional trips home:
- Paul George, traded to the Celtics as part of the Jaylen Brown deal, faces his former Philadelphia 76ers on November 10 (NBC/Peacock).
- Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware, all part of the Giannis trade, return to Miami as Bucks on November 18 (ESPN).
- Trae Young, now with the Washington Wizards, plays his former Atlanta Hawks on November 6 (League Pass) in an Emirates NBA Cup game.
- Anthony Davis makes his first return to Dallas to face the Mavericks with the Washington Wizards on March 11 (League Pass).
- Julius Randle, a new member of the Brooklyn Nets, will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 23 (Peacock/NBCSN).
- Mitchell Robinson, a key reserve for the New York Knicks' 2026 championship team, joins the Celtics and plays at Madison Square Garden on March 14 (ABC).
- Darius Garland, traded to the LA Clippers last season, will finally play against his former Cleveland Cavaliers on December 31 (League Pass).
- Rui Hachimura, now with the LA Clippers, makes a short but poignant move across town to face his former Los Angeles Lakers on October 23.
- Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, both integral to the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2025 title, return to OKC with the Atlanta Hawks on November 18 (League Pass).
- Isaiah Joe, a sharpshooter, visits his former Oklahoma City Thunder with the Detroit Pistons on December 22 (NBC/Peacock).
- Jerami Grant, now a Memphis Grizzly, makes his return to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on October 29 (League Pass).
- Walker Kessler, traded to the Lakers, plays his former Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on October 25 (League Pass).
- Miles Bridges, after seven seasons with Charlotte, returns to face the Hornets with the Phoenix Suns on March 13 (League Pass).
- Zaccharie Risacher, the 2024 #1 overall pick, faces his former Atlanta Hawks with the **Dallas Mavericks** on **January 2**.
- Norman Powell, an All-Star with the Miami Heat last season, now with the **Chicago Bulls**, plays the **Heat** in **Miami** on **December 21** and **December 23**.
- Tobias Harris, a veteran presence for the **San Antonio Spurs**, returns to **Detroit** to play his former **Pistons** on **March 27** (Prime Video).
The 2026-27 NBA season is set to be a spectacle of talent, drama, and emotional reunions. Don't miss these pivotal games as stars return to the places they once called home.
