One night into the 2026-27 season, and the NBA prediction markets already looks different. The Knicks raised their first championship banner since 1973, then watched it get spoiled on their own floor. The Thunder got a measure of revenge on the team that ended their title defense in May. Across Kalshi’s NBA championship odds and MVP market, prices moved just enough after opening night to show what traders actually believe, not just what the preseason hype suggested. Before getting into the numbers, grab the Kalshi promo code, read the Kalshi review, and download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis all season.
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NBA Opening Night Results: Knicks-76ers, Thunder-Spurs and Celtics-Pistons
Detroit opened the season down 22 points, then reeled off a 23-0 run in the fourth quarter to beat Boston 121-113. Paul George, who arrived from Philadelphia in a summer trade, scored 38 in his Celtics debut. Jayson Tatum struggled, going 6 of 23 from the field.
The marquee game went to the wrong team in New York. Philadelphia topped the champion Knicks 106-100 on banner night, with Tyrese Maxey scoring 28 and Jaylen Brown adding 19 in his 76ers debut. LeBron James chipped in 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in his first game as a Sixer. Jalen Brunson paced New York with 21 points on an inefficient 6-for-19 shooting night.
Oklahoma City closed the night with payback, beating San Antonio 116-104 in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32, and Jared McCain added 20. Victor Wembanyama shot just 1 of 13 from the field, though he still finished with 13 rebounds and 6 blocks.
NBA Championship Odds After Opening Night
Kalshi’s NBA Champion contract, which has traded more than $41 million this season, shows how little a single result moves a market built around an 82-game season. Before any of the 3 games tipped off, the Thunder priced at 23%, the Spurs at 22%, the 76ers at 11% and the Knicks at 9%. As of Wednesday, the Thunder sit at 24%, the Spurs have slipped to 21%, and the 76ers and Knicks are unchanged.
That split tracks with what happened on the floor. Thunder-Spurs was the most lopsided result of the night between two teams with recent playoff history, so a two-point drop for San Antonio makes sense. But Philadelphia’s win over the defending champions barely moved either team’s title price, a sign traders are treating one October upset as exactly that.
NBA MVP Odds After Opening Night
Victor Wembanyama remains the favorite on Kalshi’s MVP contract, which has traded close to $3.5 million this season. Kalshi had him as high as 35% in its preseason preview; his share now sits at 32% after a shooting night that left the defensive numbers overshadowed. Nikola Jokic climbed to 15%, tied with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, even though the Nuggets don’t play until Thursday. Luka Doncic is next at 13%, the only other name in double digits.
What’s Next: Wednesday’s NBA Slate
Eleven games fill Wednesday’s board, led by Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves visiting Miami. Edwards sits at 7% on Kalshi’s MVP contract, and a strong outing would be the first result-driven test of that price since opening night. The slate also includes the Mavericks at the Rockets, the Warriors at the Lakers and the Suns at the Trail Blazers, before Thursday brings Cleveland at Philadelphia and Denver at Oklahoma City.
NBA Futures FAQ
Who are the favorites to win the 2026-27 NBA championship?
On Kalshi’s NBA Champion contract, the Thunder lead at 24% after opening night, followed by the Spurs at 20%. The 76ers sit at 11% and the Knicks at 9%, both close to their pre-game price.
Who is favored for NBA MVP after opening night?
Victor Wembanyama remains the favorite on Kalshi at 32%, down from a preseason high of 35%. Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander follow in a tie at 15% each, with Luka Doncic next at 13%.
Did the 76ers’ win over the Knicks move title odds much?
Barely. Philadelphia’s championship share held at 11% and New York’s stayed at 9%, showing traders see one October upset as a small sample, not a change in either team’s outlook.
