The NBA has revealed a Thanksgiving Eve triple-header set for the upcoming regular season. One of the highlights will be LeBron James playing for his new team, the Philadelphia 76ers. This announcement came from the league this Wednesday.
The 76ers are scheduled to compete against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat on Wednesday, November 25, at 5 p.m. ET. This match is part of the annual Emirates NBA Cup. ESPN will broadcast the triple-header, which will also include Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning two-time NBA MVP, and the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7:30 p.m. ET. The evening concludes with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs facing Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers at 10 p.m. ET.
James, formerly with the Miami Heat, won two championships during his time there. Despite being one of the teams hoping to sign him during the offseason, James opted for a title chase in Philadelphia instead.
The 76ers feature a strong lineup, having recently added Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics before James’ arrival. They join a team already boasting former NBA MVP Joel Embiid, two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, and rising talent VJ Edgecombe.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have bolstered their roster by acquiring former champion and NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo. He teams up with Bam Adebayo, who scored an impressive 83 points in a game last season, second only to Wilt Chamberlain.
The Thanksgiving Eve match is part of the NBA Cup tournament, which determines a champion earlier in the season. The NBA Cup schedule includes group play beginning on October 30, with knockout rounds taking place in November. The final championship game will be held on December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Both the Heat and 76ers are expected to be strong contenders in the Eastern Conference, given their recent enhancements. Currently, the 76ers share the third-best odds for winning the NBA championship with the New York Knicks, following the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Playing in Miami, James will face his former team, one that he declined during free agency. The outcome of James, Giannis, or anyone else’s performance remains to be seen, but it promises to draw significant viewer attention.