Celtics open retooled season Tuesday in Detroit, with Brown now in Philadelphia

The Celtics open the 2026-27 regular season Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20, in Detroit. The roster looks very different from the one that finished last season.

The game against the Pistons tips off at 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock and starts the league's opening-day tripleheader, according to NBA.com. The league describes it as a matchup of last season's top two seeds in the East. Boston went 56-26 last season and finished second in the conference before losing in the first round.

A new supporting cast

The biggest offseason change was the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. NBA.com's season preview called it the largest trade of the summer. Boston added Paul George, who is expected to start next to Jayson Tatum, along with guard Mike Conley, Dillon Mitchell and rookie Chris Cenac Jr. Former Knicks center Mitchell Robinson signed a three-year deal to strengthen the frontcourt.

Tatum's health is the key question. He missed the first 62 games of last season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. According to NBA.com, he played in 22 regular-season and playoff games after returning but could not finish the postseason. Joe Mazzulla is back as head coach.

Opening stretch

| Date | Opponent | Site | Time (ET) | |---|---|---|---| | Tue., Oct. 20 | Detroit Pistons | Detroit | 3 p.m. (NBC/Peacock) | | Fri., Oct. 23 | New York Knicks | TD Garden | 7 p.m. (Prime) |

The home opener three days later brings the defending champion Knicks to TD Garden, according to NBC Sports Boston. It also marks Robinson's first game against his former team. Brown returns to Boston with the 76ers on Jan. 21.