Boston tips off the 2026-27 NBA season on the road Tuesday, October 20, when the Celtics visit the Detroit Pistons at 3 p.
m. ET.
The opener marks the first official look at a reshaped roster built around Jayson Tatum after Jaylen Brown was traded for Paul George.
Boston is expected to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference despite Brown's exit, according to The Boston Globe and NBC Sports Boston.
The Celtics went 56-26 last season but now face uncertainty as players adjust to new roles.
New Pieces and Perimeter Focus
Boston added center Mitchell Robinson and point guard Mike Conley Jr. during the offseason while keeping Neemias Queta, Ron Harper Jr., and Jordan Walsh.
Payton Pritchard received a reported two-year contract extension, giving coach Joe Mazzulla more continuity alongside Derrick White and Sam Hauser.
According to Yahoo Sports, Boston ranked fourth in the NBA in three-point attempts last season at 42.1 per game.
The team attempted 54 three-pointers in its final preseason game, a 125-120 overtime win over Philadelphia on Friday, October 16, when several reserves played extended minutes.
Tatum, George, White, Pritchard, Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez give Boston multiple outside shooting options.
Robinson and Queta offer rebounding that could create extra possessions.
Yahoo Sports noted that cold shooting hurt the team in the postseason last season, raising questions about whether the revamped lineup can add more interior scoring and drives.
Mazzulla Sets Tone as Detroit Awaits
Mazzulla said he likes the group and wants to see how it responds to adversity during the regular season.
"I do want to see who we are when it doesn't go our way," Mazzulla said, citing winning streaks, losing streaks, and stretches of four games in five nights.
George described Tatum as the central figure and said he wants to make the game easier for him without adding pressure.
Detroit retained center Jalen Duren and continues to build around Cade Cunningham, with Ausar Thompson providing defensive strength.
The Pistons added John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Taurean Prince but lost Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert.
Boston's early schedule offers little room for adjustment, with 13 of its first 21 games on the road, according to The Boston Globe.
Upcoming opponents include the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and San Antonio Spurs.
Milos Uzan scored 14 points in 23 minutes against Philadelphia, adding two rebounds, one assist, and one steal, according to CBS Sports.
Boston later waived Uzan, Tucker DeVries, Hayden Gray, and Gabe McGlothan after finalizing a two-way contract with Devin Carter, per NESN and Sports Illustrated.
The immediate task is turning depth and shooting potential into consistent results, starting Tuesday afternoon in Detroit.
