Celtics open season amid questions about title chances

The Boston Celtics begin the 2026-27 NBA season against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday amid questions about whether a reshaped roster can contend for a championship. Former Celtics center Kendrick Perkins said Boston is not a title contender and predicted it would reach the postseason through the play-in tournament. The season opener is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Boston’s projected starting five is Derrick White, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, Jordan Walsh and Mitchell Robinson, though the lineup had not been officially confirmed in the available pregame information. Devin Carter was reported out with an illness; Tatum, George and White were expected to be available. Boston’s offseason changes have put the spotlight on Tatum, who is returning after an Achilles injury, and on how the team will replace Jaylen Brown. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, with George coming to Boston in the deal. The Celtics also signed Robinson and veteran guard Mike Conley, according to reporting on the team’s roster moves. Conley was not included in the projected starting five for the opener. Perkins made his assessment during an appearance ahead of opening...