Giannis Returns to Milwaukee Jan. 28 as NBA Schedule Reunions Highlight 2026-27

The NBA's 2026-27 schedule features Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to Milwaukee on Jan. 28 and Jaylen Brown’s Jan. 21 visit to TD Garden.

The NBA released its full 2026-27 schedule on Thursday, headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to Milwaukee on Jan. 28. Antetokounmpo, now a member of the Miami Heat, will play at Fiserv Forum for the first time since leaving the Bucks, the franchise where he spent 13 seasons and secured two MVP awards alongside the 2021 championship. This matchup also marks a reunion for Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, who were involved in a physical altercation in Las Vegas during summer league play. Herro was traded to Milwaukee as part of the deal for Antetokounmpo, along with Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr., all of whom will return to Miami on Feb. 4.

Jaylen Brown is scheduled to make his first appearance at TD Garden as a visitor on Jan. 21. The 2024 Finals MVP was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, 2031), and two second-round selections (2028, 2030). Before his return to Boston, Brown will face his former Celtics teammates in Philadelphia on Nov. 10. During the previous season, Brown recorded career-high averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while Jayson Tatum was sidelined. The Jan. 21 contest also features LeBron James playing at Boston for the first time as a member of the 76ers.

Eastern Conference Star Homecomings

Trae Young and the Washington Wizards travel to Atlanta on Nov. 6. Although Young was traded to Washington last season, he did not participate in the game at Atlanta due to injury, despite receiving a video tribute and a standing ovation from the Hawks crowd. Young spent seven-plus seasons with the Hawks before the trade. The Wizards will open their regular season at home against Milwaukee on Oct. 21, marking the professional debut of AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick.

LaMelo Ball will face his former team, the Charlotte Hornets, twice in early 2027. The first meeting occurs Jan. 29 when the Hornets play at Minnesota. Ball will then return to Charlotte on Feb. 15. The Hornets traded Ball following a season where they achieved the second-best turnaround in the NBA and fell one game short of the playoffs after a play-in loss to Orlando.

Rookie Showdowns and Draft Matchups

Top draft picks from the most recent classes are scheduled for their first head-to-head meetings in early 2027. AJ Dybantsa, the current No. 1 pick, will face No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson on Feb. 27 when the Wizards play at Utah. Shortly after, on March 11, Dybantsa will compete against Cooper Flagg for the first time as the Wizards visit the Dallas Mavericks. This game marks the first professional meeting between the two most recent No. 1 overall selections.

Championship Rematches and Holiday Slates

The defending champion New York Knicks will host a Finals rematch against the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden. The two teams will meet again later in the season when the Knicks travel to San Antonio on March 7. These matchups highlight the league's primary broadcast windows alongside the January homecoming games for former franchise cornerstones Antetokounmpo and Brown.