LA Lakers' LeBron James (left) and Philadelphia 75ers' Joel Embiid, during a game in Philadelphia, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP-Yonhap) A series of marquee matchups featuring superstars in new uniforms is set for the upcoming NBA season, with the league offering an early look at some of the biggest games on the 2026-27 schedule.The NBA announced several high-profile matchups Wednesday, including games involving the Philadelphia 76ers and newly acquired superstar LeBron James.James will take center stage in several of them. Philadelphia will open its season against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 21. The game will mark James' first appearance in a 76ers uniform and coincide with New York's championship banner ceremony.James is scheduled to make his Philadelphia home debut Oct. 23 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, his hometown team and the franchise he led to the 2016 NBA championship. On Christmas Day, he will return to Los Angeles to face his former team, the Lakers.Philadelphia is expected to enter the season as a leading championship contender after adding James as well as longtime Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown.The NBA released the select marquee matchups ahead of the complete 2026-27 schedule, which is set to be announced Friday.(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)