NBA opening-night guide: Pistons rally, Sixers win and Thunder close out Spurs

The NBA's three-game season opener brought a 22-point comeback in Detroit, a spoiled championship celebration in New York and a Thunder road win in San Antonio. All three games from Tuesday's Oct. 20 schedule are final. This guide collects the scores, the deciding stretches and the full reports.

Pistons 121, Celtics 113: Detroit's 23-0 answer

Paul George scored 38 points in his first regular-season game for Boston, but Detroit recovered from a 22-point third-quarter deficit. Javonte Green and Duncan Robinson powered a 23-0 fourth-quarter run that changed a 99-89 Celtics lead into a 112-99 Pistons advantage.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 22 points apiece, Robinson had 21 and Green supplied 19 after not playing in the first half. George's seven three-pointers were not enough to rescue Boston once its offense stalled. Detroit scored 76 points after halftime, with Green and Robinson supplying 37 of them.

Read the full Pistons–Celtics recap.

Sixers 106, Knicks 100: Philadelphia wins on ring night

The Knicks received their championship rings and raised their 2026 banner before Philadelphia won the game behind Tyrese Maxey's 28 points. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown finished their first regular-season appearances as Sixers with a victory.

Brown had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. James added 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Joel Embiid had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Philadelphia's 11-0 run to end the third quarter supplied the lead it protected down the stretch. Brown made two threes in that closing surge, including one at the buzzer. Jalen Brunson led New York with 21 points.

Read the full Sixers–Knicks recap.

Thunder 116, Spurs 104: McCain's shooting supports SGA

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, and Jared McCain made six of eight three-pointers for 20 points off the bench. Oklahoma City led by as many as 26 and took a 65-44 advantage into halftime.

San Antonio reduced the gap to seven in the fourth quarter, but an 8-0 Thunder run restored control. Oklahoma City's reserves outscored the Spurs' bench 48-29. Victor Wembanyama had 12 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks but shot 1-for-13 from the field. Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 24 points.

Read the full Thunder–Spurs recap.