76ers spoil Knicks' ring night with win at the Garden (1:14)

Brian Windhorst Oct 21, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

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ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010

Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years

Author of two books

Consider Oct. 21, 2025: NBA opening night inside Crypto.com Arena.

A 40-year-old LeBron James , who hadn't missed a season opener in his 23-year career, is watching from the bench with a nagging sciatica that would push his season debut -- in his final year under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers -- to mid-November.

Which of the following would've been the most surprising if you had a crystal ball (and chose NBA opening night 2026) to see into the future:

James, now 41, still playing at a high level,

for the Philadelphia 76ers ,

at ... center?

James' distaste for playing defensive center spans decades because of the wear and tear.…