How to Watch Celtics vs. Pistons on Opening Night on DIRECTV: Tip-Off Time, NBC Channel and Peacock
The 2026-27 NBA season tips off on a Tuesday afternoon in Detroit. The Boston Celtics visit the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena, and the game airs nationally on NBC and Peacock. On DIRECTV, you'll find it on your local NBC station.
It's the first game of the season and the opener of NBC's first-ever opening-night tripleheader, with Jayson Tatum and the Celtics taking on Cade Cunningham and a Pistons team that had the best record in the East last season. Because it starts at 3 p.m. ET on a weekday, it's a good one to set to record. Here's how to watch on DIRECTV, how Peacock fits in and what to know before tip-off.
Celtics vs. Pistons: quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT |
| National TV | NBC (your local NBC station on DIRECTV) |
| Streaming | Peacock (separate subscription) |
| Arena | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit |
| NBC broadcast team | Terry Gannon, Robbie Hummel and Brian Scalabrine |
| Game type | First game of the 2026-27 NBA season; opener for both teams |
What channel is Celtics vs. Pistons on DIRECTV?
The game is on NBC, so tune to your local NBC station. NBC doesn't have one national channel number on DIRECTV. It comes through the NBC station in your market, such as WDIV in Detroit or WBTS in Boston, and the channel number depends on where you live. DIRECTV includes local channels with its packages wherever they're available, so ENTERTAINMENT and higher plans get this game.
To find it, press Guide and look for your NBC station's call letters, or search "Celtics" or "Pistons" to see every upcoming airing. If your locals are missing, our guide to adding local channels on DIRECTV walks through the fix, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check your address.
This is a national NBC game. The NBA's game listing shows NBC and Peacock as the only TV outlets, and the Pistons' own broadcast schedule lists NBC for the opener, so NBC is the place to watch in Boston, Detroit and everywhere else. Most other Pistons games this season air locally on The Spot – Detroit 20, which plans an hour-long pregame show from Little Caesars Arena before this game, but the game itself is on NBC.
Is Celtics vs. Pistons on Peacock?
Yes. Peacock streams the game live, but it's a separate app with its own subscription. It isn't a DIRECTV channel. If you have a DIRECTV Gemini device, you can open the Peacock app there. You don't need Peacock to watch, though. NBC's broadcast on your local station is the same game.
How to stream Celtics vs. Pistons
- DIRECTV app: where your local NBC station is available in the app, you can watch on your phone, tablet or streaming device, which helps with a 3 p.m. tip.
- DIRECTV streaming: includes your local NBC station where local channels are available, including with the MySports Genre Pack.
- Peacock: streams every NBC game with a Peacock subscription.
- NBA League Pass: national TV games aren't available live on League Pass, so it won't stream there.
Celtics vs. Pistons channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| NBC | Your local NBC station (for example, WDIV in Detroit or WBTS in Boston) | Packages with local channels, where available |
| Peacock | App on Gemini devices (not a channel) | Separate Peacock subscription |
| ESPN | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher; MySports Genre Pack (not carrying this game) |
| NBA TV | 216 | CHOICE and higher; MySports Genre Pack (not carrying this game) |
What to know before tip-off
- Detroit's big leap: the Pistons went 60-22 last season, the best record in the Eastern Conference. They beat Orlando in seven games in the first round, then lost Game 7 of the East semifinals to Cleveland.
- Cunningham and company: Cade Cunningham made the All-NBA First Team, Jalen Duren made the All-Star team and the All-NBA Third Team, and Ausar Thompson made an All-Defensive team.
- Boston's new look: the Celtics went 56-26 and lost a seven-game first-round series to Philadelphia. Jaylen Brown was traded to the 76ers in July, so Tatum opens the season without his longtime running mate.
- Award winners on the Boston bench: Joe Mazzulla is the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, Brad Stevens was Executive of the Year, and Derrick White made an All-Defensive team.
- Check availability on game day: both teams post injury reports before tip-off, so confirm who's playing that afternoon.
The rest of opening night
All three opening-night games are on NBC and Peacock, so one local channel covers the whole tripleheader:
| Tip-off (ET) | Game | Arena | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 p.m. | Celtics at Pistons | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit | NBC and Peacock |
| 7 p.m. | 76ers at Knicks | Madison Square Garden, New York | NBC and Peacock |
| 9:30 p.m. | Thunder at Spurs | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio | NBC and Peacock |
NBC's pregame show for the primetime games starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, ahead of the Knicks' banner night at Madison Square Garden. ESPN takes over the next night with Warriors at Lakers and Timberwolves at Heat on channel 206.
Celtics and Pistons on national TV: the next few weeks
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 23 | Knicks at Celtics | 7 p.m. | Prime Video (app) |
| Tue., Oct. 27 | Pistons at Knicks | 8 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
| Wed., Nov. 4 | 76ers at Pistons | 7 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
| Mon., Nov. 9 | Wizards at Pistons | 7 p.m. | Peacock (app) |
| Tue., Nov. 17 | Pistons at Spurs | 8 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
| Fri., Nov. 20 | Raptors at Pistons | 7:30 p.m. | Prime Video (app) |
| Wed., Dec. 16 | Wizards at Celtics | 7 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
| Fri., Dec. 25 | Heat at Celtics | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN (206) and ABC |
The Celtics and Pistons meet again on March 5 in Detroit, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Prime Video and Peacock games stream only in their own apps, which need separate subscriptions and are available on Gemini devices. The Peacock game on November 9 also airs locally in Detroit on The Spot – Detroit 20. Team-by-team local channels, League Pass details and the full national schedule are in our guide to watching the NBA on DIRECTV, and the last exhibition games are in our 2026 NBA preseason guide.
Which DIRECTV package is best for Celtics and Pistons fans?
- ENTERTAINMENT: covers opening night on your local NBC station, plus ESPN (206) and ESPN2 (209) for national games and local channels where available for ABC games.
- CHOICE: adds NBA TV (216) and regional sports networks where available. For Celtics fans who want local games, this is the package to start with.
- Local channels in Detroit: most Pistons games this season air on The Spot – Detroit 20, a local broadcast station, so Pistons fans should make sure their package includes Detroit locals.
- MySports Genre Pack: a sports-focused streaming option with ESPN, NBA TV and local channels where available.
Want your local NBC station, NBA TV and your team's games on one plan before October 20? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Celtics vs. Pistons on opening night?
Tip-off is 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. It's the first game of the NBA season.
What channel is Celtics vs. Pistons on DIRECTV?
The game is on NBC, so watch on your local NBC station. The channel number depends on your market. Press Guide and look for your NBC station's call letters, or search the team name.
Do I need Peacock to watch Celtics vs. Pistons?
No. Peacock streams the game, but the same broadcast airs on NBC, which DIRECTV includes as a local channel where available. Peacock is a separate subscription.
Is Celtics vs. Pistons on The Spot - Detroit 20 or a Boston channel?
No. The NBA lists NBC and Peacock as the only TV outlets, and the Pistons list NBC for the game. The Spot - Detroit 20 airs an hour-long pregame show from the arena, but the game itself is on NBC.
What other games are on NBA opening night?
NBC and Peacock also have 76ers at Knicks at 7 p.m. ET and Thunder at Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET, so your local NBC station carries all three games.
Questions about getting NBC or your team's channel on DIRECTV? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 12, 2026. Tip times, TV assignments and broadcast plans are set by the NBA, its teams and their TV partners and may change. Player availability is often announced close to tip-off. Local channel availability, channel numbers, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. NBA, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, ESPN, ABC, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.