Detroit — NBC is back in the national broadcast mix for the NBA this season, and the Detroit Pistons are among the featured teams as part of a 17-game slate announced by the league in partnership with Disney and NBCUniversal.
Key Pistons dates include a Sept-… correction: October 27, the Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in the first national broadcast for Peacock’s NBA Monday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Peacock will stream up to three games on Monday nights, with a two-game doubleheader ending the night in Minnesota as the Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets at Target Center.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Detroit will be one of eight teams showcased in a national telecast when it hosts the Boston Celtics on January 19 to cap NBC’s tripleheader. That marks the Pistons’ first home game on MLK Day since 2018, with tip-off at 8 p.m.
Other noted broadcasts include a road game for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Cavaliers and the New York Knicks hosting the Dallas Mavericks, both among Peacock/NBC’s three-game package. The MLK Day slate kicks off on Peacock with the Atlanta Hawks versus the Milwaukee Bucks at State Farm Arena.
The league will release the rest of its 2025-26 schedule on Thursday. The Pistons’ selection for national exposure on marquee days underscores the franchise’s return to relevance after a breakthrough season.
Last season, Detroit achieved a historic turnaround, becoming the first team in league history to triple its win total, going 44-38 and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in six years. They were eliminated in a six-game series by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Cade Cunningham emerged as a breakout star, posting 26.1 points, 9.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 70 games and earning All-Star and All-NBA recognition as Detroit blossomed.
The 2025-26 campaign is also set to begin with a season-opening doubleheader on NBC/Peacock on October 21. The Oklahoma City Thunder will receive their championship rings and raise their first banner before facing the Houston Rockets, who feature a new-look roster after landing future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant in a June trade with the Phoenix Suns. The Golden State Warriors will visit the Los Angeles Lakers for a Pacific Division clash to launch the night.
What this means for Detroit is increased national visibility as a team on the rise, opportunities to grow the fan base, and greater spotlight on a young core that helped the Pistons re-enter the playoff picture. If Cunningham continues to develop at his current pace, the national broadcasts could amplify his profile and the team’s market presence, potentially aiding future roster-building and sponsorship opportunities.
Summary: The Pistons are among the teams highlighted in NBC/Peacock’s 2025-26 national slate, with marquee dates including a home MLK Day matchup against the Celtics and a season-opening broadcast schedule that signals Detroit’s continued ascent after last season’s playoff breakthrough led by Cade Cunningham. Positive outlook remains for a franchise that has shown it can compete at a high level and grow its national footprint.