League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Knicks defend title as NBA season opens with reshaped contenders

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 9, 2026, 11:15 AM

Last updated Oct 9, 2026

Knicks defend title as NBA season opens with reshaped contenders

Summary

The 2026-27 NBA season kicks off on October 20, featuring the New York Knicks as defending champions. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to secure their first title since 1973. Competition is intensified with teams like the Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Philadelphia 76ers, all looking to make deep playoff runs. The Spurs, following a strong season that ended in the Finals, aim to build on their experiences. The Thunder, with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also remain formidable after posting the best record last year. Many teams believe they have realistic chances of contending for the title this season.

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Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Knicks finished the previous season 53-29 and won the Finals 4-1.
•Spurs young core includes Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox.
•Thunder had the best regular-season record at 64-18 last year.
•Nuggets aim for balance with Nikola Jokić leading the offense.
•76ers made key changes adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.

Latest Updates

11:15 AMYahoo Sports — NBA title race heats up as Knicks defend crown against a revamped field

What they're saying

"
The NBA championship race features a defending champion, two recent Finals teams and several dramatically reshaped contenders. The Knicks, Spurs, Thunder, Nuggets, 76ers, Heat, Celtics and Cavaliers all enter with different paths to contention, creating a deep field where star power, roster fit and postseason experience could shape the race.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Boston Celtics Cleveland Cavaliers Denver Nuggets New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers NBA Basketball

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Yahoo SportsOct 9, 2026, 11:15 AM
NBA title race heats up as Knicks defend crown against a revamped field
The NBA championship race features a defending champion, two recent Finals teams and several dramatically reshaped contenders. The Knicks, Spurs, Thunder, Nuggets, 76ers, Heat, Celtics and Cavaliers all enter with different paths to contention, creating a deep field where star power, roster fit and postseason experience could shape the race.

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