Last updated: Oct. 23, 2026. We will update this page on game day and add the final score after the game.
Wondering where to watch Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons this week? Here is the short answer: The Pistons play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m. ET, and the game is on NBC with a live stream on Peacock. It is a national-only broadcast, so it will not be on The Spot – Detroit 20 or DAZN, the two places most Pistons games air this season.
That detail trips up a lot of Detroit fans who have just gotten used to the new TV setup. Below you’ll find the channel in metro Detroit, how to stream it, the radio call and what to watch for when the Eastern Conference’s top seed from last season visits the defending champions.
Jump to: Quick answer · What channel · How to stream · Radio · Game preview · FAQ · Bottom line
Where to watch Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons: TV, stream and tip-off at a glance
| Game | Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks |
| Date | Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) |
| Venue | Madison Square Garden, New York |
| TV | NBC (WDIV Local 4 in Detroit) |
| Stream | Peacock |
| Radio | 97.1 The Ticket |
| Not on | The Spot – Detroit 20 or DAZN |
What channel is the Pistons vs. Knicks game on?
The game is on NBC. In metro Detroit, that means WDIV Local 4, which you can pick up for free with an over-the-air antenna on channel 4. Cable and satellite customers will find it wherever their provider places the local NBC station.
It is also the season premiere of NBC’s “Coast 2 Coast Tuesday” doubleheader, according to NBC Sports’ 2026-27 schedule announcement. Pistons-Knicks is the 8 p.m. ET game for viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones, followed by Portland at the Los Angeles Lakers at 11 p.m. ET.
Why isn’t it on Channel 20? The Pistons have 19 national TV games this season. Eight of them are simulcast on The Spot – Detroit 20, but the other 11 air only on the national network, and Oct. 27 is one of those 11, based on the team’s national TV schedule published by WXYZ. Our Detroit Pistons schedule and TV guide lists which games fall into each group.
How to stream Pistons at Knicks live
Peacock is the main streaming option. NBC Sports says every NBA game it presents streams live on Peacock, and a 30-minute studio show leads into Tuesday coverage on the app, so Peacock subscribers can tune in before tip-off. Peacock is a paid service; check its site for current plans.
Live TV streaming services that include your local NBC station will also carry the game. DAZN, the Pistons’ streaming partner this season, does not have it, because DAZN only streams the locally televised games that air on Channel 20.
How to watch on Tuesday night, step by step
- Free with an antenna: rescan your TV if needed and tune to channel 4 (WDIV) a few minutes before 8 p.m. ET.
- Streaming: open Peacock and look for the game in the NBA section, or tune in early for the studio show.
- On the go: switch on 97.1 The Ticket for the radio call.
- Game day check: national networks can adjust start times, so confirm on the official Pistons or NBA schedule on Tuesday.
Not sure which antenna channels carry which networks in Detroit? Our Detroit TV channel guide lists every major local station.
Can I listen to the Pistons-Knicks game on the radio?
Yes. The Pistons’ radio home is 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM), with Mark Champion and Rick Mahorn on the call. When the station has a scheduling conflict, Pistons broadcasts move to WWJ 950 AM or WDZH 98.7 FM.
Pistons vs. Knicks preview: last season’s top seed meets the champions
This is an early-season measuring stick for both teams. The Knicks are the defending NBA champions after beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 Finals, the franchise’s first title since 1973. Jalen Brunson was Finals MVP, and Mike Brown coaches a core that includes Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart.
New York’s title defense started with a stumble. After raising its banner and handing out rings at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, it lost 106-100 to the Philadelphia 76ers, NBA.com reported. Brunson scored 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting.
Detroit went 60-22 last season, earned the No. 1 seed in the East and lost to Cleveland in six games in the conference semifinals. The Pistons opened this season by rallying from 22 points down to beat Boston 121-113, a game we broke down in our Pistons vs. Celtics recap. Tuesday’s game ends a three-game road trip that starts Friday at Miami and continues Sunday at Philadelphia, so J.B. Bickerstaff’s team arrives in New York at the end of a busy stretch.
Detroit owned this matchup last regular season, sweeping all three games, including a 126-111 win at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 19, 2026, according to Land of Basketball’s head-to-head game log. New York still has the more recent playoff memory: it beat Detroit in the 2025 first round, closing the series with a 116-113 win in Game 6 at Little Caesars Arena.
The teams meet four times this season. After Tuesday, the Knicks visit Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 3 (the NBA Pioneers Classic, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN) and Feb. 17, and Detroit returns to Madison Square Garden on April 9. The Pistons are back home the night after this game, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, against Charlotte on The Spot – Detroit 20.
Pistons at Knicks FAQ
Is the Pistons-Knicks game on Channel 20?
No. The Oct. 27 game is a national-only NBC broadcast, so The Spot – Detroit 20 and DAZN do not carry it. Watch on NBC (WDIV channel 4 in Detroit) or stream it on Peacock.
Can I watch Pistons vs. Knicks for free?
Yes, if you live in an area that receives NBC over the air. A digital antenna tuned to WDIV channel 4 gets the game in metro Detroit at no cost. Streaming on Peacock requires a paid subscription.
What time does the Pistons-Knicks game start in Detroit?
Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 27, which is Detroit’s local time. Peacock’s pregame studio show starts about 30 minutes earlier.
Who won the last Knicks-Pistons game?
The Pistons won the most recent meeting, 126-111, at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 19, 2026, completing a 3-0 regular-season sweep of New York. Tuesday is the first meeting of 2026-27; we will add the result here after the game.
The bottom line: NBC or Peacock, not Channel 20
For Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden, skip Channel 20 and DAZN. Turn on NBC (Local 4) or Peacock at 8 p.m. ET, or listen on 97.1 The Ticket. For every other game this season, bookmark our Pistons schedule hub, which we update weekly.
Sources: NBC Sports 2026-27 NBA regular-season schedule (NBCUniversal, Aug. 13, 2026); Pistons national TV schedule (WXYZ); Pistons local TV and radio announcement (Pistons.com); NBA.com and SI coverage of the Knicks’ 2026 title and opening night; Land of Basketball head-to-head game log. Schedules and broadcast assignments can change; confirm on game day.
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