Pistons Aim to Build on Last Year’s Playoff Success Against Bulls

CHICAGO, IL – The Detroit Pistons open the 2025-26 NBA season tonight against the Chicago Bulls, seeking to build on last year’s surprising playoff run. The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET at the United Center.

Last season, the Pistons exceeded expectations by tripling their win total from the year before, qualifying for the playoffs, and giving the New York Knicks a tough matchup in the first round. With that momentum, they now aim to compete at a higher level in the Eastern Conference.

In a twist of fate, both teams will start the season without their leading shooting guards. The Pistons’ Jaden Ivey is sidelined for at least a month after undergoing knee surgery. This adds to the team’s injury woes, as Ausar Thompson and Cade Cunningham also had injury interruptions last season.

Caris LeVert, one of the Pistons’ offseason acquisitions, is probable to play tonight despite dealing with his own injury. His presence is critical as Detroit looks to offset the loss of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., who departed in free agency.

The Bulls, meanwhile, will be missing leading scorer Coby White due to a calf injury. White’s absence places more pressure on Josh Giddey, who recently signed a four-year extension, to lead the Chicago offense.

Despite their challenges, the Pistons enter the matchup as 2.5-point favorites. Pistons head coach Dwane Casey emphasized the importance of starting strong, especially after a rough beginning last season.

“We need momentum early,” Casey said. “Cade has shown he can handle a larger role offensively, and we need everyone to step up defensively just like last year.”

The Bulls, who barely missed the playoffs last season, are counting on the development of promising rookie Matas Buzelis alongside veteran Nikola Vucevic. With the stakes high and both rosters in flux, the teams face an early test of their resilience.

This game may be the beginning of a new chapter for the Pistons, while the Bulls look to find their footing amid uncertainty. The outcome could set the tone for both teams as the long season unfolds.