The 2026-27 NBA season tipped off with a tripleheader on Tuesday to begin the 82-game marathon, beginning with a thrilling afternoon tip-off in Detroit with the Pistons hosting the Celtics. The Celtics, thanks to a red-hot start from the newly acquired Paul George, jumped out to a lead that grew as large as 22 points in the third quarter.
But that didn’t last as Detroit, fresh off earning the East’s No. 1 seed with a 60-win season a year ago, stormed back with an outside-shooting onslaught in the second half. The final result was a 121-113 victory for the Pistons. Detroit was led by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren with 22 points apiece, but the outside shooting of Duncan Robinson (21 points) and Javonte Green (19) keyed the comeback. Robinson and Green went a combined 10 of 17 from 3-point distance.
For Boston, George led the way with 38 points but Jayson Tatum struggled mightily, scoring only 13 on 6 of 23 shooting.
Next, it will be on to ring night in New York, where the Knicks will raise their first championship banner in Madison Square Garden since 1973. After Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and company get their new jewelry, they’ll shift focus to a title defense that begins with the new-look Philadelphia 76ers in town. Philly’s star-studded lineup featuring LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid will look to make a statement against the defending champs.
Finally, the nightcap will feature the two best in the West renewing their rivalry, as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs welcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder to town. After meeting in an instant-classic Western Conference Finals a year ago, the Spurs and Thunder are projected to be head and shoulders above the rest of the West in 2026-27, and San Antonio will look to continue their dominance over OKC.
NBA opening night schedule, scores
All times Eastern. Odds via FanDuel.
Detroit Pistons 121, Boston Celtics 113New York Knicks (-4.5) vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. | TV: NBC, streaming: fuboSan Antonio Spurs (-1.5) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m. | TV: NBC, streaming: fubo
We’ll be tracking all of the action here as the NBA season gets underway. Follow along below for live updates, highlights and analysis.