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| A poster promoting NBC’s coverage of the “50th Anniversary Game,” a special broadcast featuring the two teams that played in the first-ever NBA Summer Series regular-season game. (Tamir Moore/Canva) |
| ⏵ Sunday, September 20, 2026 (Press Release)
🟎 Highlights:
- 50 years following the first-ever NBA Summer Series game, NBC and Peacock are producing a special “50th Anniversary” game as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the New York Knicks at historic Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday, September 27 at 7:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock.
- Bob Costas calls play-by-play alongside Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier (who played in the first-ever Summer Series game in 1977) and Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, with reporters Hannah Storm and Dan Hicks covering the sidelines.
- Veteran broadcaster Scott Graham hosts pregame and postgame coverage from MSG, joined by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Doc Rivers, Chris Bosh, and Chamique Holdsclaw.
- Lakers & Knicks played in the very first Summer Series game on June 30, 1977, with the Knicks winning 102-97.
NBC and Peacock have announced plans for a special broadcast to commemorate the Summer Series’ historic 50th anniversary. This is separate from the “Throwback Series” broadcasts that the Summer Series has been running all summer.
On Sunday, September 27, NBC and Peacock present a once-in-a-lifetime special broadcast, “50th Anniversary Game”, with live coverage beginning at 7:00 PM ET. This marks a special edition of Sunday Night Basketball. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers tussle with Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks from historic Madison Square Garden in New York. This matchup is the exact same pairing from the very first Summer Series game ever held on Thursday, June 30, 1977, a game that the Knicks won 102-97. With the Lakers & Knicks playing at MSG this weekend, we felt that this was the perfect time to organize a special broadcast like this one.
Veteran play-by-play commentator Bob Costas will call Lakers-Knicks, joined by two NBA legends in the broadcast booth. Representing the Lakers will be five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Representing the Knicks will be two-time champion and fellow Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier. In fact, Frazier was part of the first Summer Series game in 1977, scoring 14 points in the Knicks’ eventual five-point win over the Lakers at Madison Square Garden.
Costas, Johnson, and Frazier will be joined on the sidelines by seasoned sportscasters Hannah Storm (Lakers) and Dan Hicks (Knicks).
Throughout the night, pieces of broadcasters from the Summer Series’ 50 seasons will be shown. Additionally, brief anecdotes will be shared by Summer Series broadcasting legends, including Susan McDermott, Brent Musburger, Robin Roberts, Terry Gannon, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, and much more. The broadcast opening will feature the various NBA Summer Series logos used over the years.
On June 30, 1977, the NBA Summer Series franchise launched as the Lakers battled the New York Knicks. The late great Jack Buck and analyst Marques Johnson called that first game. That game marked the start of a franchise that would eventually span five decades, with iconic memories, legendary broadcasts, and special moments that will last forever.
NBC and Peacock will also have studio programming to surround Sunday’s game, with Basketball Night in America presented by Wendy’s scheduled to begin the evening at 6:00 PM ET. Scott Graham will host the pregame show, joined by a cast of Hall of Famers, including Doc Rivers, Chris Bosh, and Chamique Holdsclaw. Costas, Frazier, and Johnson will appear for a pregame segment.
Following Lakers-Knicks, the Sunday Night Basketball doubleheader continues on NBC and Peacock as Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, September 27 at 9:30 PM ET/7:30 PM MT, featuring John Michael, Doug Collins, Mike Fratello, Angel Gray, and Jim Gray on the broadcast call.
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