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Pistons erase 22-point deficit, stun Celtics with 23-0 fourth quarter run in season opening win

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons erased a 22-point second-half deficit and used a 23-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat the Boston Celtics 121-113 Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena for their first win of the season.

Boston took its largest lead at 72-50 early in the third quarter before Detroit completely flipped the game, storming back behind its bench and a fourth-quarter surge.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each scored 22 points for Detroit, with Cunningham adding eight assists and Duren grabbing nine rebounds. Duncan Robinson finished with 21 points and made five 3-pointers, while Ausar Thompson added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Javonte Green provided perhaps the biggest spark. After not playing in the first half, Green scored 19 points off the bench and helped fuel Detroit’s comeback over the final two quarters.

Paul George scored a game-high 38 points in his Celtics debut, the most points ever scored by a Boston player in his first game with the team. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard added 17 points apiece.

Jayson Tatum finished with 13 points and 11 assists, but struggled from the field, shooting 6-for-23 and missing all seven of his 3-point attempts.

Neither team created much separation early. The game was tied at 13 midway through the opening quarter before Boston carried a 28-27 advantage into the second.

The Celtics began to take control late in the first half. After Detroit tied the game at 39, Boston used a 15-0 run as part of a 19-6 closing stretch to take a 58-45 lead into halftime.

Detroit shot 38.6% from the field and just 22.2% from beyond the arc in the first half, while Boston connected on 48% of its shots and 40% from 3.

George kept the Celtics rolling to begin the third quarter, hitting three 3-pointers in less than a minute as Boston built its 22-point lead.

That was when Detroit began to turn the game around.

The Pistons trimmed the deficit to 77-64 with 5:33 remaining in the third before a 16-4 run brought them within single digits for the first time since the second quarter. Green helped lead the charge as Detroit eventually pulled within three at 85-82.

Detroit outscored Boston 37-30 in the third and entered the fourth trailing just 88-82.

The Celtics appeared to regain control when they pushed their advantage back to 96-84 early in the fourth, but the Pistons responded again. Detroit pulled within 99-95 with 7:34 remaining before taking its first lead since the opening quarter.

Green hit the go-ahead 3-pointer, Duren followed with a three-point play and Robinson connected from deep as Detroit surged ahead 107-99.

The run eventually reached 23-0 as the Pistons turned what had been a double-digit deficit into their largest lead of the afternoon.

Boston finally ended the drought, but Detroit maintained control and pushed its lead to 114-105 with two minutes remaining. The Celtics made one final push to cut the margin to four, but the Pistons held on to complete the season-opening comeback.

Detroit travels to Miami on Friday, while Boston hosts the New York Knicks.

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SEE IT: Knicks unveil 2025-26 championship banner, rings in pregame celebration

Before the Knicks could begin their 2026-27 campaign, they had one last bit of important championship business to take care of.

In front of a roaring home crowd cloaked in blue and orange, New York celebrated its historic NBA Finals run one last time ahead of its season opener against the Eastern Conference-rival Philadelphia 76ers, forever memorializing the effort in the Madison Square Garden rafters with a banner after each player received their glittery championship rings.

Ahead of the evening's festivities, the team also retroactively hung up a banner recognizing their 2025 NBA cup win against the San Antonio Spurs. 

"I think it's just a recognition of what our journey was like last year," head coach Mike Brown said of the banners. "There were a lot of ups and down throughout the course of the year. Our guys rallied and figured out a way to win the NBA Cup, and then you go ahead and you win the ... Final. It's just a recognition [of] not just our guys, but the fans out there. We've got fantastic fans, and to be able to show a little love to them is pretty neat."

After receiving a lengthy round of "MVP" chants as he jogged onto the court to receive his ring, captain Jalen Brunson had a message for all the Knicks fans who waited 53 years for the title.

"As much as we won this, we wouldn't have done it without you guys. This is unbelievable. This is really a dream come true," he said. "I know that we're all excited to get the season going, and we're waiting to turn the page as a team, but one thing I would like to say is that the joy that this city had this summer — we would love to replicate that again."

Brown said that while he hopes his players can find an emotional balance between celebrating their previous accomplishments and working toward the new, he wanted them to experience the moment in full.

"Knock on wood, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You never know," Brown said. "You definitely want guys to embrace it and celebrate it with each other because they went through a lot, with the fans, with the rest of the organization, and with their families. You don't want to take that moment away from them."

But he also knows that one night — even if it ends up a rough one — shouldn't set the tone for the whole 82-game season.

"No matter what happens tonight ... there's a lot of basketball left. Whatever happens tonight is not going to define us," Brown said. "I would rather them enjoy the moment than me cutting it short or carving into their emotions."

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Clippers season predictions: A play-in run and a Kawhi Leonard twist

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland drives past Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray during a game, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray during an NBA basketball game

THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS 

The Clippers will make the play-in tournament:When a team has nothing to lose, things can suddenly start to click. Don’t be surprised if this team somehow surpasses our very low expectations this season. 

DariusGarland will become an All-Star again in the next few years: Ty Lue is going to help bring the best out of Garland. The former point guard is going to pour himself into the franchise’s new point guard. That could get interesting. 

KawhiLeonard is going to have a breakout season: After too many injury-riddled seasons with the Clippers, here’s to betting Leonard is going to have an eye-popping season with the Raptors. That would be the Clippers’ luck, right?

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH 

Oct. 23 at Lakers: The hallway rivalry is always interesting, though this season it shouldn’t be too competitive. That said, it’ll be fun to watch Hachimura play against his former team. 

Nov. 1 at Warriors: The Warriors eliminated the Clippers in the play-in tournament last April. Can the Clippers avenge that loss?

Nov. 2 vs. Raptors: Leonard returns to Los Angeles to play against his former team. After everything the Clippers are going through, it’ll be interesting to see how the crowd reacts to their former superstar. 

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Dec. 31 at Cavaliers: Garland will face his former team in Cleveland. He spent his first seven years of his career with the Cavs. That’ll surely be an emotional game for him. 

Jan. 9 vs. Celtics: The Clippers will host Paul George and the Celtics, another former franchise star who is now with another team. 

The Post’s Forecast – 42-40 

The Clippers will perform a little better than assumed, winning 42 games and making the play-in tournament before being eliminated from the playoffs. That would count as a major success for them this season. 

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Jayson Tatum’s season debut was far from pristine, but there’s no reason to panic

Jayson Tatum drives to the basket Tuesday against the Pistons. | NBAE via Getty Images

Before Tuesday’s season-opening matchup with the Pistons, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters that he doesn’t believe we have seen the best version of Jayson Tatum yet.

Well, after a dreadful 6-for-23 shooting performance in a 121-113 loss, we still haven’t seen the best version of Tatum. But we did see a glimpse into what Mazzulla meant, at least conceptually.

Even when his shot is off, Tatum still leaves his imprint all over the game. He racked up 11 assists, organized the Celtics on both ends and took the right shots more often than not. Tatum draws so much attention that it leaves other guys, like Paul George, open for easy looks.

The reality is that Tatum’s poor shooting night – which included an 0-for-7 showing from 3-point range and a 1-of-10 performance in the second half – was a major reason why they lost the game. It might have even been the No. 1 reason in this particular instance, which isn’t true very often.

“I mean, it felt good,” Tatum told reporters, referring to his shot. “Definitely not one of my best nights, obviously. I just have to play better.”

This is a classic case where we all have to brush it aside and assume it’s an outlier, rather than the start of a trend. If it does become a trend, the Celtics may have a problem, but chances are it won’t. Give him a chance to get situated.

It will be fascinating to watch how Tatum handles his first season as the true undisputed alpha. As evidenced by George’s 38-point explosion, he still has a sidekick, but it’s Tatum’s team and the Celtics will go as far as he takes them.

Even with George’s brilliance, defenses can still key in on Tatum more now than they could when he played alongside Jaylen Brown. At this stage in his career, George is predominantly a shooter (and still an elite one, if Tuesday is any indication), but he doesn’t have the same explosiveness as Brown.

Defenses are able to guard George 1 on 1, then double Tatum when the time is right. It’s up to him to make the right read. He did more often than not, but he didn’t have a lot to show for it offensively. Tatum, as usual, took ownership and put the blame squarely on his shoulders.

“There’s a lot of things I could learn from today and just be better for next time,” Tatum told reporters.

You could tell it may not be Tatum’s night when he missed a bunny in the first quarter. It felt like if he had been feeling it, he could have already had 15 or so points through one. Instead, he looked rusty and his form looked clunky. The hitch in Tatum’s shot is still somewhat alarming, but no one cares as long as it goes in the hoop.

On nights when it doesn’t, you can’t help but wonder if he can thrive as clear-cut 1A on a contender post-injury. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I firmly believe the answer is yes.

I believe this was simply a product of rust, Detroit’s smothering defense, acclimating alongside George and bad luck. Tatum could have played exactly the same and hit five more shots and we would be talking about his performance in a totally different light.

“Part of my role is scoring,” Tatum told reporters. “I felt really good about a lot of the looks.”

It’s hard to argue with that logic. Celtics fans should feel good about those looks, too. He’ll make them. Give him time.

There may be games like this one, and if they happen once every month or so, that’s OK. As long as he bounces back, that’s all fans can ask for. He’s done it throughout his career, and there’s no reason to think he won’t this time as well.

It may take time, but Mazzulla is right. We haven’t seen the best of Tatum yet.

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Mammoth Give Top Blueline Prospect His First NHL Call-up

The Utah Mammoth have called a player up from the AHL for the first time this season, and it’s one of their top defensive prospects.

On Tuesday, the team recalled Artem Duda from the Tucson Roadrunners. The defenseman has three points in six games with the Roadrunners this season. He is tied with Zac Jones for the team lead in points among defensemen. Duda is also a plus-six, the best plus-minus rating on the team.

This is Duda’s first-ever NHL call-up. He was originally drafted in the second round in 2022 by the Arizona Coyotes. Last season, Duda only played 27 games, producing 13 points before suffering a season-ending injury that resulted in knee surgery.

However, the defenseman worked hard over the summer to regain strength in his leg before having an impressive rookie camp and a very solid training camp. He was one of the final cuts, alongside Ben McCartney, as the Mammoth sent him down right before the season started.

Duda has mentioned that he has never felt better, and early results have shown that he’s not lying.

“I feel like I’m the strongest person I’ve ever been,” Duda said. “Everything is good. The knee is good. I’m skating and playing physically. I just have to keep going like that.”

The Mammoth are currently starting to deal with injuries. John Marino did not play in Monday’s game vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, forcing Nick DeSimone to sub in his place. Michael Carcone was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday with an upper-body injury. The forward has not played since Oct. 8 in a game against the Boston Bruins.

It’s unclear if Duda will actually play in his first NHL game during this call-up. Last season, the Mammoth called up Maksymilian Szuber, Kevin Connauton, Scott Perunovich, Dmitri Simashev, and Maveric Lamoureux throughout the season. Only the latter two names appeared in games with the Mammoth.

Duda is also ineligible for waivers, meaning he doesn’t have to clear them to be returned to the Roadrunners, which could mean a quick return to the AHL if needed. It could be a reason why the Mammoth opted to call him up over someone like Jones, who has to clear waivers. 

The Roadrunners will likely play their first two games without Duda this weekend as they travel to Nevada to play the Henderson Silver Knights. They have options to fill that void with Cal Thomas and Brandon Holt, both deserving of the opportunity to play.

The Mammoth will play their next game on Thursday as they travel to Climate Pledge Arena to take on the Seattle Kraken.

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NBA winners and losers: Pistons rally past Celtics, Tatum struggles

The 2026-27 NBA season is officially underway with an unprecedented opening-day tripleheader that began with a rare weekday matinee game between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons rallied from a 22-point deficit to stun Boston in the league's first game of the season, setting the stage for the New York Knicks' ring ceremony and championship banner-raising before they face LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers. A Western Conference finals rematch between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder wraps up the NBA opening-day slate on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Here's a live breakdown of the players, moments and storylines that emerged as winners and losers from the NBA's opening day.

NBA: We ranked the best player on every NBA team. Sixers among biggest surprises

NBA opening day winners

Javonte Green

Much of the offseason discussion in Detroit centered on whether the Pistons had added enough shooting around Cade Cunningham. But Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff turned to a lesser-known returning player on Tuesday to provide an unlikely spark that kick-started Detroit after beginning its season opener 4 of 22 from beyond the arc.

Green had 19 points and played nearly 18 minutes in the second half after not playing during the first two quarters of the game. A veteran in his second season with the Pistons, Green drilled three consecutive 3-pointers shortly after entering in the third quarter before adding two more in the fourth, including the go-ahead basket.

Paul George

George set a new Celtics record by scoring 38 points in his Boston debut and was especially good as the Celtics built a 22-point lead that the Pistons eventually erased. The 36-year-old George, who came to Boston in the Jaylen Brown trade this offseason, made 10 of his first 14 shots from the field including six 3-pointers. He seemed to work well with Jayson Tatum and took on the defensive assignment of guarding Cade Cunningham at times. Though George missed a couple 3-pointers late as the Celtics tried to reverse the momentum, this performance was a good sign that he can form an elite combination with Tatum if he can stay healthy.

NBA opening day losers

Jayson Tatum

Tatum's evolution as a playmaker was evident Tuesday, as he finished with 11 assists. But Boston also needs him to be its primary scorer, particularly after trading Jaylen Brown, and he couldn't fill that role in the second half. His poor shooting performance contributed to the team's collapse. He was 1 for 9 from the floor after halftime and his lone field goal came with less than three minutes left and the Pistons' lead in double digits. Tatum was just 6 of 23 from the floor and 0 for 7 from 3-point range overall on Tuesday.

NBA on NBC's matinee rollout

The NBA is closely watching the audience response to its opening-day matinee experiment, but some fans encountered issues as Tuesday's opening game unfolded. Social media was filled with complaints from viewers who said Celtics-Pistons was unavailable in their market, with YouTube TV subscribers appearing particularly affected. The company wrote on its X account that "the availability of games/programs on YouTube TV depends on our network partners."

It will be interesting to see what the ratings turn out to be considering the NBA is evaluating this initial game to determine whether to continue having daytime openers in the future.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA winners and losers: Pistons rally past Celtics, Tatum struggles

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Game Thread: Knicks vs. 76ers, October 20, 2026

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 5: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on prior to the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 5, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Knicks 120-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The WORLD CHAMPION Knicks (0-0) open their season tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers (0-0) at Madison Square Garden. They’ll hang the new banner (53 years in the making) and distribute rings before tip-off. As of this writing, no Knicks stars are on the injury report; the 76ers list several players out or questionable, but none of their top stars. Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe should all be ready and eager to take a swipe at the crown. The Knicks are favored by about five points as the healthy home team and defending champs.

Game time is at 7 p.m. EST on NBC. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be excellent humans. And go Knicks!

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Karl-Anthony Towns reveals why he’d take a pay cut to stay with Knicks as contract drama lingers

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors defenders.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the basket during the second quarter of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden in New York, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.

Even as the Knicks prepare to celebrate the franchise’s first NBA title in 53 years, the topic of Karl-Anthony Towns’ future remains at the top of everyone’s minds. 

During an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Towns said he would be willing to take a pay cut in order to keep the championship-winning squad together. 

“Because I want this team to stay together,” Towns said when asked to expand on his answer. “That’s always been my main priority was to keep everyone here, to keep this core, this special team that we have. So it was the first thing on my mind as soon as it was. And there was nowhere in my mind a max was even thought of.” 

Jalen Brunson was sitting next to Towns for the interview, and when Andrews turned her attention to him to ask what he hoped to see happen with Towns, Brunson had a simple reply. 

“Sign the contract,” he said before breaking out into laughter and a smile, with KAT doing the same next to him. 

Towns is headed into the final guaranteed year of his contract after playing a key role in the Knicks’ title run last spring when he averaged 15.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. 

The Knicks said via a statement earlier this month that they were cutting off contract extension talks “until later in the season,” which came as news to Towns. 

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the basket during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden in New York, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post

“Obviously very disappointed, to say the least. Let’s be honest here,” the big man said Sunday. “But even though there was no business done, there’s still business to be handled. After 53 years, we found a way to bring this trophy back to New York, and we intend for it to stay in New York.”

The Knicks open their season on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden and will celebrate their title with a ceremony before they face the 76ers.

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Warriors season predictions: Steph Curry’s sneaker twist and a .500 finish

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry warms up with assistant coach Bruce Fraser, wearing a Golden State Valkyries Veronica Burton jersey, Image 2 shows Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks with forward Draymond Green and guard Stephen Curry during a game

THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS

Yaxel Lendeborg makes first-team All-Rookie: Lendeborg is older than Podziemski and Will Richard, and the Warriors will ask the rookie to play like he’s been around the block. His size, shooting ability and maturity give him a chance to make an immediate impact.

Jimmy Butler plays more games than Kristaps Porzingis: What’s the bigger mystery: The “illness” Porzingis is dealing with, whether he will be on the roster post-trade deadline or how the Warriors expect to get through the regular season with two key players rehabbing knee surgeries and another whose availability fluctuates nightly?

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, wears a Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton jersey while warming up with assistant coach Bruce Fraser before a preseason NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

‘Batman’ and ‘Robin’ team up on a sneaker: The other deal Curry signed this summer was his extension with the Warriors. He got his real bag in June with a $400 million endorsement deal with Chinese shoe company Li Ning, which is already in business with Butler. There’s never been a collab signature shoe, but when has that ever stopped Curry before?

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH

Oct. 23 vs. Memphis: Lendeborg’s home debut pits him against No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer, a matchup “I’m always gonna circle,” the Warriors rookie said this summer.

Dec. 25 vs. Denver: The last Christmas without the Warriors? Curry’s third season. The next? Probably the year after he retires. Overall, Curry is 8-7 in the annual holiday tradition.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, talks with forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Feb. 13 at Knicks: Not only a date with the defending champs at MSG, the Warriors’ first contest after the trade deadline, potentially with a roster that looks vastly different from opening night.

March 24 vs. Philadelphia: The first game on this list that should feature Butler and Moody — and the Warriors’ first time seeing LeBron James in a 76ers uniform.

April 8-9 at Oklahoma City: Golden State finishes with seven of nine on the road, including a baseball-style back-to-back against possibly the best team in the West.

The Post’s Forecast

41-41: Frankly, a lot has to go right just for the Warriors to get here. Curry’s knee doesn’t deteriorate further. Butler and Moody come back refreshed, not rusty. Golden State won 37 games last season, and the biggest difference is that its roster is only a year older.

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LeBron James, 76ers spoil Knicks' banner night with 106-100 win

LeBron James, 76ers spoil Knicks' banner night with 106-100 win originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Philadelphia 76ers sent an opening-night message they’ll be a contender for the New York Knicks‘ NBA title after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, rallying for a 106-100 victory Tuesday.

Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points and Brown had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game since being acquired from Boston. James began his NBA-record 24th season by finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

The 76ers got three 3-pointers from Anfernee Simons and two from fellow newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, as the reserves took advantage of the open looks they got when the Knicks were caught focusing too much on the bigger names.

Jalen Brunson scored 21 points, but the NBA Finals MVP shot just 6 for 19 from the field.

Brunson told fans inside Madison Square Garden in a pregame ceremony when the Knicks raised their NBA championship banner and received their rings that: “The joy that this city had this summer, we would love to replicate that again.”

Maybe they can, but they will have to play a lot better than they did Tuesday, shooting 37% overall and 33.3% on 3s. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The Knicks dominated the 76ers in a second-round sweep, early on during their streak of 13 straight victories as part of a 16-3 finish with the highest point differential in NBA postseason history.

Philadelphia then went out and traded for Brown and signed James after the NBA’s career scoring leader decided to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, setting the 76ers up with the potential to be one of the best teams in the league.

They certainly didn’t have a smooth start, but played better as the game went on. The Sixers closed the third quarter with an 11-0 run, capped by Brown’s second straight 3-pointer that came at the buzzer and gave Philadelphia an 83-76 lead.

Maxey’s three-point play early in the fourth made it 87-78. The Knicks cut it to 96-95 when Towns made a 3-pointer, but Joel Embiid answered with one and the Sixers stayed ahead.

Embiid finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Brunson, wearing gold sneakers for the occasion, couldn’t help the Knicks recover by hitting the type of big shots he did when they repeatedly came back to beat San Antonio in five games for their first championship since 1973.

The festive pregame party gave way to a first half filled with long stretches of fouls and missed shots, not leaving much reason for the cheers to continue. The Knicks went ahead by 10 with one good flurry but it was down to 58-54 at halftime.

The Knicks will return to action on Friday, when they visit the Boston Celtics.

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Postseason off day chat and discussion: October 20

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: A Los Angeles Dodgers groundscrew worker paints the postseason logo on the field before the Milwaukee Brewers workout prior to the NLCS at Dodger Stadium on October 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, it looks like we’ll be sitting tight for a few days. Game 1 of the World Series won’t be until the night of October 23, so that means there will be no more baseball until then.

In the mean time, what are y’all planning on watching tonight? If you’re a basketball fan then you’re well aware that it’s Opening Night in the NBA, so there are a pair of really exciting games planned tonight as the Knicks host the Sixers and the Thunder host the Spurs. I’m still happy that the classic NBA on NBC theme is back, so that lone is enough to entice me.

Outside of that, is there anything else that y’all are planning on watching? If you’re still having trouble finding something to watch, here are some 2021 NLCS highlights to enjoy.

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Pistons vs Celtics final score: Detroit overcomes 22-point deficit, beats Boston in opener

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA season is officially in full swing, and it took no time to produce an incredibly entertaining basketball game.

Things looked rough in the first half as Detroit struggled to knock down shots. They could only muster an 18-point second quarter as Boston finished the first half on a 23-6 run to take a 58-45 halftime lead. Paul George was scorching hot to start the second half and helped push the Boston lead up to 22. And yet, the Pistons kept slowly chipping away, and thanks to Detroit’s sparkplug Javonte Green, they were able to reclaim the lead halfway through the final frame. The Pistons beat the Celtics 121-113 in the NBA opener.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each led the way with 22 points. Duren added nine rebounds and two stocks while Cade had four rebounds, eight assists, and two stocks. These two instantly got back to what they do best:

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Duncan Robinson started slow, but heated up quickly in the second half. He had 21 points while shooting 5-for-9 from deep, and one of his five threes resulted in the biggest crowd pop of the night:

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Javonte Green certainly deserves a shoutout as he didn’t play in the first half, but still finished with 19 points while shooting 5-for-8 from deep. He played a huge part in providing a spark to the Detroit offense as they were struggling, and his impact was instantly felt. I will note: Ron Holland only played three minutes in the first half and didn’t play in the second. All of the backup PF minutes went to Javonte in the second half. If the ball made it to him, he was letting it fly:

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Ausar Thompson finished with a double-double: 11 points and 11 rebounds, while also adding five assists. Seeing him take on more of an on-ball role is something I’m really excited about this season, because when he’s making plays like this, he’s one of the most entertaining players in the NBA:

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I am so glad that Detroit Basketball is back, and they’re now 1-0 on the season. The Pistons will travel to Miami to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s new team on Friday night.

First place in the NBA, baby!

Go Stones.

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Recapping the Rays-Guardians 2026 ALCS

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 19: Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the seventh inning during Game Six of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Entering the American League Championship, there wasn’t one team I wanted to play more than the other. Quite honestly, I was happy that it was going to be two small-market teams in the World Series either way, and last night, that was settled. The Tampa Bay Rays won the American League pennant for the first time since 2020, and their third time overall.

While there’s plenty of storylines to go around, it was a series that the Rays had to fight from behind in, after trailing 2-1 to the Cleveland Guardians. After the comeback was complete, former Brewers ace Freddy Peralta was named ALCS MVP, creating a number of storylines revolving around how half the Rays rotation are former Brewers.

For Brewers fans across the board, the opponent didn’t matter, but the length of the series did. The ALCS went six games, just one shy of the maximum, as the Rays took care of business. Let’s take a look at how they got it done.

Game 1: Guardians 7, Rays 3

By the time this game had started, the Brewers already had a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. By the time Game 1 ended, it looked like Cleveland was going to power their way to their first pennant since 2016.

The Rays got out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning before being quieted the rest of the way. The Guardians slowly picked their way back into the game off of a Chase DeLauter solo blast in the top of the sixth inning, which was then followed up with Patrick Bailey’s solo home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game. After taking a 4-2 lead on a Nathaniel Lowe base hit, the Rays chipped back for one more on a Cedric Mullins home run to cut the Guardians’ lead down to 4-3. That was the last we saw of the Rays offense as Cleveland cleaned house in the top of the ninth inning, scoring three runs to win 7-3.

Rays ace Drew Rasmussen shone with six innings of two-run ball and seven strikeouts. His bullpen was unable to pick him up, though, as they allowed a combined five runs over the remaining three innings. For the Guardians, everyone had a hand in the win as six pitchers made an appearance, striking out eight.

Game 2: Rays 3, Guardians 1

The first of three Freddy Peralta appearances throughout this series occurred as he threw six scoreless innings, striking out six batters. The Rays scored one of their runs via a fielder’s choice and another on an error, as their offense struggled to muster a big hit to extend the lead.

Parker Messick threw the team’s longest outing of the series to that point, spanning five innings and no earned runs due to the error. The lone offensive highlight came on a DeLauter double to drive in a run, but they ultimately stranded the tying run on second base, sealing the victory for the Rays.

Game 3: Guardians 3, Rays 2

Cleveland received another masterful outing from one of their arms as Gavin Williams threw five innings of two-run ball, allowing just two hits while striking out nine. His offense had his back from the beginning as Lowe smacked his second double of the series to give them a 1-0 lead. After the speedy Chandler Simpson tripled to give Tampa Bay their lone lead of the game, Petey Halpin hit a two-run home run to reclaim a 3-2 lead. Both bullpens held down the fort as Tampa’s offense wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Game 4: Rays 7, Guardians 3

This game was initially rained out, making it the first in MLB’s playoffs since a postponement occurred during Game 3 of the 2022 World Series. Having to push the game back a day, and not allowing any days off for travel, the Rays got hot. After an early Guardians lead, Jonathan Aranda jump-started the offense to tie the game at 1-1. A few singles pushed the Rays’ lead to 4-1, until the eventual knockout blow came off the bat of Yandy Díaz in the top of the ninth inning to seal a 7-3 Rays win. On the mound, Tampa’s Nick Martinez went 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run in the win.

Game 5: Rays 3, Guardians 1

Game 5 showcased more stellar pitching, but three straight one-run innings from the Rays offense carried them the rest of the way. The key to success in this game was forcing Messick out of the game after just two innings, forcing the bullpen to go into early action in the third. The Rays received an even better outing from Rasmussen, who went seven innings and allowed one run, striking out six.

Small ball continued to be the source of the offense for the Rays as a bases-loaded walk and a pair of run-scoring singles drove in the three runs. Cleveland had the tying run up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but couldn’t extend the game any further.

Game 6: Rays 7, Guardians 3

The same score as Game 4, as the Rays went for the knockout punch. Peralta set Tampa Bay up nicely with 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball. The bullpen had one worrisome moment as the Guardians had the bases loaded and a chance to tie or take the lead, but Tyler Wells allowed just two runs as the Guardians scored their final runs of the 2026 season. Already leading 3-1, Junior Caminero landed the first blow on a two-run home run to extend the Rays’ lead to 5-1. The final blow came off the bat of Díaz, who hit another two-run blast to lock up the Rays’ third AL pennant.

The Brewers and the Rays kick things off on Friday night with first pitch coming at 7 p.m. We’ll have plenty more coverage in the coming days.

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'2026-27 Champions Night?' Knicks championship celebration shirts raise eyebrows

The New York Knicks are celebrating their first NBA Finals win in 53 years at their season opener Tuesday.

Ahead of the doors opening at Madison Square Garden, each seat was given a T-shirt that says "2026-27 Champions Night" in gold letters with an image of the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

The Knicks won last season's championship, which capped the 2025-26 season. Some people on social media are pointing out that the wording of the T-shirts celebrating that title on opening day of the 2026-27 season is a bit funny. Philadelphia Inquirer editor DeAntae Prince joked that "The Knicks have crowned themselves as the 2026-27 champions…. Prior to the season opener."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: '2026-27 Champions Night?' Knicks championship celebration shirts raise eyebrows

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Champions League roundup: McTominay double leads Napoli past Bodø/Glimt

  • Midfielder scores for first time since heart surgery

  • Ten-man Atlético hang on for draw against Stuttgart

Scott McTominay scored his first two goals of the season to help Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 and relieve pressure on the coach, Massimiliano Allegri. McTominay, who also hit the post, missed a month of the season after undergoing a surgical procedure in early September to treat an irregular heartbeat.

Matteo Politano’s first-minute opener was cancelled out by Bodø’s Jens Petter Hauge. McTominay restored Napoli’s lead before the break only for Andreas Helmersen to again level for the Norwegian club.

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