Pistons to kick off tripleheader against Celtics to open season

Detroit — The NBA announced on Tuesday morning a tripleheader that will kick off the 2026-27 season on NBC and Peacock. As part of this event, the Detroit Pistons will begin their season and the league’s schedule on Oct. 20, facing the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena. The game is scheduled for tip-off at 3 p.m.

The game will feature the top two teams from the Eastern Conference last season. The Pistons finished with the top overall record at 60-22, while the Celtics finished second at 56-26. The Pistons and the Celtics had a close battle for the conference’s top seed, but Detroit was able to maintain its distance after winning the four-game regular-season series 3-1.

The game will serve as the official debut for several new players, most notably Isaiah Joe, who was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder in June. Other newcomers making their debut for the Pistons include John Collins, Elijah Harkless, Gary Harris and Taurean Prince. Additionally, first-round pick Ebuka Okorie — whom the Pistons traded up to select with the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft — will also be making his official debut.

With six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum leading the way, the Celtics will debut a new look on the Pistons’ home floor, with Paul George making his first appearance for the franchise following the blockbuster trade that sent former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in July. The 76ers will open their season inside Madison Square Garden, taking on the defending champion New York Knicks with a tip-off at 7 p.m.

After the 76ers-Knicks game, the league’s opening day will conclude with a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center at 9:30 p.m.

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons to kick off tripleheader against Celtics to open season