Five Can't-Miss Games from Detroit Pistons Schedule Release
- Chad Marriott
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
The NBA finally released its 2025-26 schedule in its entirety. Without diving into the absurdity of a segmented schedule release, I break down the Detroit Pistons games I'm looking forward to the most. The team has more nationally televised games, has others on streaming, and will likely receive more national attention. After ending a playoff drought and returning to relevancy, there is plenty to be excited for this season, including 16 nationally televised games (six on Peacock, four on Prime, four on ESPN, and two on NBC).
The Season Opener
The season opener makes this list solely because it will be exciting to have the Pistons back on our televisions. Although the Pistons won't be playing in Detroit, it will be exciting to watch them take on the Chicago Bulls on October 22. Just seeing everyone back out there is exciting enough. This game has the added excitement of Jaden Ivey's regular-season return to the lineup, along with the chance to see Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert debut in the Piston blue.
The Home Opener
Of course, opening night at Little Caesars Arena will be even more exciting, with all of the fanfare. The Pistons will be back in Detroit on October 26 to play the Boston Celtics. Furthermore, it will be a day game at 3:30 on a Sunday, allowing for plenty of pregame and postgame festivities, conveniently scheduled during the Detroit Lions Bye Week. Thanks, schedule makers! Now that at least three of the Detroit teams are relevant (Sorry, Red Wings!), it's nice to know that our fandom is being well-treated.
First Game on NBC
On November 18, the Pistons will have their first NBC broadcast. While they will have been on Peacock three times prior to that, calling a streaming service game "Nationally Televised" is a stretch. However, having the Pistons play the Atlanta Hawks with Roundball Rock for their first "true" nationally televised game will be awesome. The Pistons had some good games with the Hawks last season, including some great defense from Ausar Thompson on Trae Young. The Pistons took three of four, but all of them were with 10 points, including two one-possession games. Cade Cunningham had a duel with Young on February 23, with each scoring 38 points in an eventual Pistons win, their sixth in a row (part of the 8-game win streak that established the team last season).
Pistons Versus Rockets
The Pistons have established an interesting rivalry with the Houston Rockets over the past few seasons. This season, the teams match up in Detroit on January 23 on Prime. The games are always heated and physical. Both teams are on the rise, and while the Rockets appear ahead of the Pistons with multiple strong seasons and the addition of Kevin Durant, the Pistons made it just as far in the 2025 postseason. The Pistons split the season series against the Rockets, ending a six-game losing streak against them. This game, of course, also features the Thompson twins going head-to-head.
Pistons Versus Knicks
The wait for the Pistons to have some "revenge" on the Knicks will be a long one. The teams' first matchup isn't until January 5. The Pistons lost to the Knicks in the first round in six games. Both of Detroit's wins came in New York. The Pistons (and LCA) should be fired up for a victory at home after failing to end their home playoff losing streak. The series was physical and sparked a new rivalry. The teams have had mini-rivalries over the years, but never when both teams were on the ascendency. The Knicks beat the Pistons in the first round of the 1984 playoffs before Detroit became the Bad Boys. The teams next matched up in the 1990 playoffs, with the Pistons en route to back-to-back titles. Then, in 1992, the ascending Knicks put the last nail in the coffin of the Bad Boys era. This new rivalry has already provided Isiah Thomas versus Bernard King-like showdowns with Jalen Brunson and Cade Cunningham. Could we see a more sustained rivalry between the two teams shooting for the top of the conference? Possibly. The teams will match up twice more in February.
Chad is an actor, writer, and podcaster. He has written for GiveMeSport, Fast Breaks and Billy Shakes, and Darci Lou. He has performed in regional theatres across the country (Michigan, Arizona, Virginia, Tennessee). He loves sports, short stories, and theatre. Find more at chadmariottactor.com, Fast Breaks and Billy Shakes, The Detroit Way: A Detroit Sports Podcast, and Billy and Jake the Raccoon.
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