NBA Opening Night featured the Philadelphia 76ers spoiling the New York Knicks’ championship celebration, the Detroit Pistons defeating the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder securing a victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Here is a complete look at the NBA scores from yesterday, October 20, 2026, including final results, game highlights and key performances.
NBA Scores Yesterday – Tuesday, October 20, 2026
| NBA Game | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons | Pistons 121, Celtics 113 |
| Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks | 76ers 106, Knicks 100 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs | Thunder 116, Spurs 104 |
All three NBA Opening Night games are final.
Detroit Pistons Defeat Boston Celtics 121–113
The Detroit Pistons opened their 2026–27 NBA campaign with an impressive 121–113 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Detroit overcame a 22-point deficit to secure the comeback victory.
Pistons vs. Celtics Game Highlights
- Final Score: Pistons 121, Celtics 113
- Cade Cunningham: 22 points
- Jalen Duren: 22 points
- Paul George: 38 points for Boston
The Pistons’ comeback was one of the biggest storylines of NBA Opening Night, as Detroit demonstrated its ability to recover from a substantial early deficit.
Philadelphia 76ers Beat New York Knicks 106–100 on NBA Opening Night
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the defending NBA champion New York Knicks 106–100 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
The matchup featured the highly anticipated Philadelphia debut of LeBron James, who joined the 76ers during the offseason.
New York entered the contest celebrating its NBA championship with a banner-raising and championship ring ceremony.
However, Philadelphia spoiled the festivities by earning an important road victory.
76ers vs. Knicks Game Highlights
- Final Score: 76ers 106, Knicks 100
- Tyrese Maxey: 28 points
- LeBron James: 14 points in his Philadelphia debut
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
The victory provided Philadelphia with a strong opening to the 2026–27 season and marked the beginning of a new chapter for James and the 76ers.
Oklahoma City Thunder Defeat San Antonio Spurs 116–104
The Oklahoma City Thunder began their 2026–27 NBA season with a 116–104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Oklahoma City was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who delivered an impressive performance to help secure the season-opening win.
Thunder vs. Spurs Game Highlights
- Final Score: Thunder 116, Spurs 104
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32 points
- Result: Oklahoma City opens the season with a victory
The Thunder’s victory provided an encouraging start to the new NBA campaign as Oklahoma City looks to compete among the Western Conference’s top teams.
Which NBA Teams Won Yesterday?
Three teams recorded victories on Tuesday, October 20, 2026:
- Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics, 121–113.
- Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks, 106–100.
- Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 116–104.
Detroit, Philadelphia and Oklahoma City each began the regular season with a 1–0 record.
NBA Games Today – Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Following Tuesday’s Opening Night action, the NBA regular season continues Wednesday, October 21, with an expanded schedule.
Some of the featured matchups include:
- Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
- Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Wednesday’s schedule provides basketball fans with another opportunity to watch several of the league’s top teams begin their 2026–27 campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yesterday’s NBA Scores
What were the NBA scores yesterday, October 20, 2026?
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 121–113, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 106–100, and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 116–104.
Did the Philadelphia 76ers win yesterday?
Yes. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 106–100 on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Did the Boston Celtics win yesterday?
No. The Boston Celtics lost to the Detroit Pistons 121–113.
Did the Oklahoma City Thunder win yesterday?
Yes. Oklahoma City defeated the San Antonio Spurs 116–104.
How many NBA games were played yesterday?
Three NBA games were played on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, as the 2026–27 regular season got underway.
Final Thoughts
The opening night of the 2026–27 NBA season delivered several notable results, including Detroit’s comeback against Boston, Philadelphia’s victory over the defending champion Knicks and Oklahoma City’s win over San Antonio.
With the regular season now underway, NBA fans can look forward to a full schedule of games, emerging storylines and exciting performances throughout the 2026–27 campaign.
For the latest NBA scores, schedules, standings, game recaps and where-to-watch information, follow The Sports Cast.