The first parts of the NBA schedule have been released, and after a 60-win season, the Detroit Pistons were chosen to tip-off the entire 2026-27 NBA season against the Boston Celtics.Â
The Pistons will be the first game of an opening-night triple header that also features the Knicks vs. 76ers and Thunder vs. Spurs, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.Â
It’s a nice tip of the cap to the Pistons, who were one of the most exciting teams in the league last season for those who were paying attention, so it’s good to see the league reward them with one of the marquee games, though they will once again be shut out on Christmas.Â
It’s also a chance for two teams that had controversial offseasons to show that their approach was the right one.Â
The Pistons and Celtics have plenty to prove in the first game of the 2026-27 NBA Schedule
Both the Pistons and Celtics had offseasons that have drawn plenty of criticism for different reasons.Â
Boston surprised everyone by trading former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George, a move that could backfire dramatically if he or Jayson Tatum get hurt next season.Â
But Boston concluded it would be tough to continue to win with two super-max deals on the books. They are essentially switching out Brown from the team last season for Tatum and George, since the roster around them is pretty much the same otherwise and the Celtics were missing Tatum for most of last year.
The Celtics are keen to show that the Brown move was more than just about saving money and that they are still a title contender even without him.Â
The Pistons didn’t make any moves as loud as the Brown trade, which has drawn the ire of some fans and criticism from pundits who believed this offseason was the one for Detroit to make a big trade.Â
It wasn’t for lack of trying, but Trajan Langdon and company came up short in pursuit of big fish and instead had to settle for adding role players who can shoot.Â
The Pistons still haven’t signed Jalen Duren, so until that happens, their offseason won’t be over, but it looks as though the big swing isn’t coming, at least not now.Â
Detroit will want to prove the doubters wrong once again, as they will undoubtedly be overlooked and underestimated in preseason predictions as they were last season.Â
The Pistons want to show last year’s 60 wins weren’t a one-off fluke, but a steppingstone to real championship contention. Â
The NBA leaned into one of its best historical rivalries to tip off the 2026-27 season, but they are also teams with big question marks hanging over them.Â
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