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

Sixers and Knicks projected as top Eastern Conference contenders

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 27, 2026, 11:01 AM

Last updated Aug 27, 2026

Sixers and Knicks projected as top Eastern Conference contenders

Summary

The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are predicted to lead the Eastern Conference in the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. Philadelphia strengthened its roster significantly during the offseason, acquiring key players like Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. Meanwhile, the Knicks, led by finals MVP Jalen Brunson, are looking to build on their championship success from last season. Analysts point to the chemistry and experience gained from previous playoff battles as critical to the Knicks' hopes of advancing further. The Sixers will need to establish team cohesion to compete effectively against the defending champions.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Philadelphia made major offseason acquisitions to enhance their roster.
•New York's roster has significant playoff experience from last season's championship run.
•Both teams are expected to contend for a spot in the NBA Finals.
•The Sixers will face challenges developing team chemistry for the new season.
•New York aims to return to the conference finals for the second consecutive year.

Latest Updates