The Detroit Pistons open their regular season schedule with a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. This will mean many new changes for the newly assembled team, including the official start of JB Bickerstaff’s tenure as head coach.

Bickerstaff was hired this summer to replace Monty Williams after just one year on the job. The veteran coach had an impressive run with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he helped turn them from a rebuilding team into a playoff team. Now he’s starting the same process all over again with the Pistons.

After practice on Tuesday, Bickerstaff expressed his emotions ahead of his first regular-season game as Pistons coach. He is looking forward to a new beginning not just for him, but for the entire team.

“I’m excited. Of course, every time you have the opportunity to be part of something new, you look forward to it.” Bickerstaff said. “I’m more excited to work with this group because of who they are, what they’ve done, what they’ve been through.”

The 2024-25 season is a much-needed fresh start for the Pistons, who had a forgettable year last season. After posting the league’s worst record in 2024, Bickerstaff and company are on track to improve in all areas.

A home win would be a great start to the year for the Pistons, but it won’t be easy. They have a big task ahead of them on Wednesday as the Pacers will look to prove they are a contender in the East after reaching the conference finals last season.