Everything you need to know about the Sixers 2025–26 NBA Schedule

The NBA dropped the full 2025–26 schedule last week, and while every team gets the standard 82 games, the Sixers’ calendar has some interesting spots worth breaking down.

Between Joel Embiid’s load management, the NBA’s new TV partners, and the second year of the in-season tournament, this slate says a lot about where the Sixers stand in the league’s eyes right now and as you could imagine, it’s not great.

Sixers tease the return of Iverson-era uniforms in 2025-26 Schedule Release Video

Sixers Back-to-Backs: The Joel Embiid Factor

The number of back-to-backs is the first thing every Sixers fan checks. Joel Embiid made it clear last year that he’s not doing both legs anymore, and considering he only played 19 games, it wasn’t exactly an idle threat.

• 2023–24: 11 back-to-backs
• 2024–25: 15
• 2025–26: 16

That’s a new high, which basically means Sixers fans should cross 16 games off Embiid’s availability list right now. Betting the over on 66.5 games for him would be pure charity at this point.

Sixers got snubbed on National TV games

With the NBA’s new media deal, NBC/Peacock and Amazon Prime are in, TNT is out, and national TV games are supposed to be on the rise across the league. Except if you’re the Sixers.

• 2023–24: 17 national TV games
• 2024–25: 21
• 2025–26: 14

No Christmas Day game, no MLK Day game, nothing marquee. The league clearly didn’t trust the Sixers after last year’s injury-riddled disaster. From “big market, big stars” to “let’s hide this mess in local markets.”

NBA Cup Group Play

Love it or hate it, the in-season tournament is here to stay. The Sixers’ group stage:

• Oct. 31 vs. Celtics (Amazon Prime)
• Nov. 14 @ Pistons
• Nov. 25 vs. Magic (NBC)
• Nov. 28 @ Nets

Boston on Halloween feels like a cruel joke, but hey — at least it’s not the Knicks again.

Eastern Conference Draw

Every year, the NBA tweaks which non-division opponents you play three times vs. four. The Sixers drew the short straw:

• Four times: Cavaliers, Bucks, Wizards
• Three times: Hawks, Heat, Magic

That means extra dates with the conference favorite and Milwaukee. Not ideal for a team trying to climb back into the top tier.

Key Dates: Sixers 2025-26 Schedule

• Opener: Oct. 22 @ Celtics. Home opener Oct. 25 vs. Hornets.
• Tobias Harris & Paul Reed Return: Nov. 9 & Apr. 4 when the Pistons visit.
• Steph Curry in Philly: Dec. 4 — still the best pregame show in basketball.
• Lakers Visit: Dec. 7. Luka in purple and gold, maybe LeBron’s last trip to Philly.
• OKC Thunder (Defending Champs): Dec. 28 (road), Mar. 23 (home).
• Embiid vs. Jokić (hopefully): Jan. 5 (home), Mar. 17 (road).
• Rookie Showcase: VJ Edgecombe vs. Cooper Flagg on Jan. 20 in Philly.
• Knicks Rivalry Night: Jan. 24, ABC. Hello, Guerschon Yabusele.
• Wemby in Philly: Mar. 3. Edgecombe vs. Dylan Harper adds spice.
• Edgecombe vs. Ace Bailey (Jazz): Mar. 4. Philly fans will let Bailey hear it.

Final Thoughts: God Help Us

The Sixers got slapped with a tough draw, fewer national TV games, and 16 back-to-backs that essentially guarantee Embiid’s load management will be a storyline all season. It’s not the friendliest schedule, but the real question isn’t the calendar, it’s whether this team will finally stay healthy enough for it to matter.

Until then, the Sixers are firmly in “we’ll believe it when we see it” territory.

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