This season could be one of the Detroit Pistons’ most exciting seasons in the last decade-plus.
Their two high-flying 2022 lottery picks, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, will make their debut alongside the rest of the young core, headlined by Cade Cunningham.
The NBA released its 2022-23 regular season schedule Wednesday, and the Pistons will tip off against the Orlando Magic at home Oct. 19. They’ll play their next three games on the road — against the New York Knicks on Oct. 21, Indiana Pacers on Oct. 22 and Washington Wizards on Oct. 25 — before returning to Detroit for a two-game homestand against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 26 and 28.
[ Despite strong offseason, Pistons’ play-in path will be difficult in 2022-23 ]
The Pistons’ first eight games will include three back-to-backs: The defending champion Golden State Warriors at home on Oct. 30 before flying to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Oct. 31.
The Pistons have 13 back-to-back sets with nine taking place before Jan. 1.
TNT will air the Pistons’ road game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 10. They will also have three games on NBA TV — at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 1, in Paris against the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 19 and at home against the Bucks on March 27.
More: Why Saddiq Bey is a prime candidate to become an NBA star
Jerami Grant, who led the Pistons in scoring in 2020-21 and 2021-22 and was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason, will make his return to Little Caesars Arena on March 7.
In addition to Cunningham, Ivey and Duren, the Pistons will be headlined by their trio of 2020 first round picks — Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey. The Pistons made a handful of veteran roster additions, acquiring Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel from the Knicks, and signing Kevin Knox to a two-year deal.
More: Pistons exec Rob Murphy has ‘made for TV story’ you almost couldn’t make up
The Pistons finished 23-59 last season, but ended the year on a stronger note by winning 11 of their final 25 games.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons schedule 2022-23: Play Warriors, Bucks early
