The Detroit Pistons host the Toronto Raptors on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit for a 2026-27 NBA Preseason matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the United States (19:00 local venue time in Detroit), with live broadcasts available on WMYD (TV20 Detroit), The Spot – Grand Rapids 17, NBA League Pass, DAZN, and Fubo.
The matchup closes out the 2026-27 NBA Preseason schedule for both franchises. The Detroit Pistons enter the contest with a 2-1 preseason record after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-106 at home on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The Toronto Raptors hold a 2-2 exhibition record, playing on consecutive nights after losing 122-120 to the New York Knicks on Thursday, Oct. 15. In the most recent official regular-season meeting between the two teams, Detroit defeated Toronto 127-116.
Where to watch Detroit Pistons vs Toronto Raptors live
Fans in the United States can watch the exhibition game across two over-the-air television stations and three streaming platforms:
- WMYD (TV20 Detroit): over-the-air TV
- The Spot – Grand Rapids 17: over-the-air TV
- NBA League Pass: streaming
- DAZN: streaming
- Fubo: streaming
Start time and venue for Detroit Pistons vs Toronto Raptors
Below are the confirmed scheduling details for the Friday night matchup in Michigan:
- Date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 (10/16/2026)
- Start time: 7 p.m. (19:00 America/New_York; 19:00 local venue time in America/Detroit)
- Venue: Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit
- Competition and stage: NBA (North American basketball league) — Preseason
Read also: Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 16)
How the Detroit Pistons arrive
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff leads the Detroit Pistons for his third consecutive season. Following a 2025-26 regular season in which the franchise finished first in the Eastern Conference with a 60-22 record, won its first Central Division title since 2007-08, and lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game conference semifinal series, the front office reshaped the roster. For the 2026-27 campaign, Detroit signed John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Taurean Prince, and selected rookie Ebuka Okorie with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, while Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert departed the team.
Starting point guard Cade Cunningham and starting center Jalen Duren were rested during earlier preseason games, but both returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday, Oct. 14, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Making his preseason debut after signing a five-year contract extension, Duren scored 24 points in the first half on 8-of-9 shooting and holds a preseason average of 24.0 points per game. Because Friday’s matchup is the final tune-up before the regular season, the starters are expected to play limited minutes, and the final injury report confirming which players will be rested is released shortly before tipoff.
“I still feel like we’re a little slept on, man. I still feel like people don’t really give us the credit that maybe we have earned. But again, that’s the beauty of it. I think that’s part of being in Detroit,” said Cade Cunningham, point guard for the Detroit Pistons.
The probable starting lineup for the Detroit Pistons features Cade Cunningham (point guard), Duncan Robinson (shooting guard), Ausar Thompson (small forward), John Collins (power forward), and Jalen Duren (center).
How the Toronto Raptors arrive
The Toronto Raptors are coached by Darko Rajaković, whose technical staff for the 2026-27 season was reinforced by assistant coaches Stephen Silas, Matt Vest, and Jeremy Castleberry. During the offseason transfer market, Toronto reacquired starting small forward Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers in a trade that sent Brandon Ingram to the California franchise. On the court during the current preseason, starting shooting guard RJ Barrett has averaged 18.3 points per game, while starting power forward Scottie Barnes has posted averages of 16.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
In the team’s recent medical report, Trayce Jackson-Davis was listed as out due to a dental issue, while Allen Graves (groin), Alijah Martin (knee), and Nate Bittle (foot) were listed as questionable. Because the Raptors are playing on back-to-back nights to close the preseason, exact confirmations regarding starters resting will be announced moments before the game begins. Earlier in the week, Toronto waived point guard Chucky Hepburn on Monday, Oct. 12, following a hamstring injury, and waived center Trey Jemison III on Wednesday, Oct. 14, due to a hand injury.
coupled with the return of Leonard and starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, the probable starting lineup for the Toronto Raptors consists of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and starting center Jakob Poeltl.
Read also: Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 16)
Officiating for Detroit Pistons vs Toronto Raptors
The NBA releases official referee assignments only hours before tipoff, and the officiating crew for this preseason game had not yet been announced. Unlike soccer, the NBA does not use a federation-affiliated Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system or automatic suspensions for card accumulation, relying instead on the league’s own Replay Center for video reviews.
Recent head-to-head history and next game for the Detroit Pistons
In the last official game between the two franchises during the 2025-26 regular season, the Detroit Pistons beat the Toronto Raptors 127-116 at home to clinch the Central Division title. Jalen Duren led Detroit with 31 points in that victory, while RJ Barrett scored 24 points for Toronto.
Following the conclusion of the preseason on Friday night, the Detroit Pistons will make their 2026-27 NBA regular-season debut on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, against the Boston Celtics.
