Detroit Pistons to Face Boston Celtics in Season Opener
The Detroit Pistons will tip off the 2026-27 NBA season against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The game will be the first of a tripleheader to kick off the year and will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock. The Pistons finished the previous season with a 60-22 record, while the Celtics had a 56-26 record. Both teams had earlier-than-anticipated playoff exits, with the Celtics falling to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round and the Pistons losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
What's Changed for the Pistons and Celtics
The Pistons have undergone significant changes to their roster, trading Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies and adding shooting in Isaiah Joe and speed in the backcourt with first-round pick Ebuka Okorie. They also re-signed veteran free agents Javonte Green and Kevin Huerter and added Taurean Prince and Michigan State alumnus Gary Harris in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics, meanwhile, shocked the basketball world by trading star Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and draft picks.
The Road to the Playoffs
The Pistons and Celtics will have to navigate a tough schedule to make it to the playoffs. The Pistons will face off against the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks in the Emirates NBA Cup Group Play, which will tip off on October 30, 2026. The full 2026-27 regular-season schedule will be released on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
The Detroit Pistons are coming off a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 18, 2026, where they were defeated 125-94. They have struggled in recent form, with a record of 1-4 in their last five games. The team will look to turn things around with a strong start to the season against the Boston Celtics.
