Pistons Overcome 22-Point Deficit to Defeat Celtics in Season Opener

Table of Contents

• You might want to know
• Pistons Rally Past Celtics
• Key Insights Table
• Afterwards...

You might want to know

• How did Detroit recover from a 22-point second-half deficit to beat Boston?
• What made Paul George’s Celtics debut stand out despite the loss?

Pistons Rally Past Celtics

The Detroit Pistons opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a dramatic home victory, recovering from a 22-point second-half deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 121-113. The game was the first contest in an opening-day tripleheader and brought together two teams expected to contend for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. Detroit’s late surge overshadowed an impressive Celtics debut by Paul George, who scored a game-high 38 points.

For much of the game, Boston appeared firmly in control. The Celtics led 72-50 with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter, a margin that put Detroit in a difficult position. Boston still held a 99-89 advantage with 8:19 left in the fourth. Yet the Pistons steadily built momentum, then produced a decisive stretch that changed the direction of the contest: Detroit outscored Boston 23-0 over five minutes and moved ahead 112-99 with 3:33 remaining.

The comeback was notable not only for its size, but also for its timing. According to the NBA, Detroit’s 22-point rally was the largest comeback on the first day of an NBA season since 1997-98. The result reinforced a familiar lesson in a 48-minute game: a substantial lead does not guarantee a win. The Pistons kept competing, found contributions from several players, and converted their energy into a remarkable turnaround.

Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the team’s persistence and effort. “When we outwork you, we’re going to be hard to beat,” he said. That approach became especially visible during the fourth-quarter run, when the Pistons combined defensive pressure, timely three-point shooting and confident execution to reverse a game that had appeared to be slipping away.

The comeback also echoed recent postseason examples of teams overcoming major disadvantages. In last season’s playoffs, the New York Knicks came back from a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals and won. The Knicks also rallied after trailing 81-52 in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. In last season’s first-round series, Detroit itself faced a 24-point deficit against the Orlando Magic in Game 6 and forced Game 7. Those precedents illustrate why the Pistons continued to play rather than treating Boston’s lead as insurmountable.

Javonte Green and Duncan Robinson were central to the rally. Both made five three-pointers, helping Detroit close the gap and eventually secure the victory. Green had not played in the first half. Bickerstaff brought him off the bench with 7:26 left in the third quarter, when Detroit trailed 74-53, in search of a spark. Green missed his first three-point attempt, but soon found his rhythm, scoring 11 of his 19 points during a two-minute burst that included three three-pointers and two free throws.

Bickerstaff said the coaching staff trusted everyone on the roster to contribute when needed. He explained that Green’s energy and shot-making supplied the boost Detroit required, while also highlighting his defense. The coach noted that Green could have been frustrated about not playing in the first half, but said that response would not fit the player’s character or the group’s identity. Green’s impact showed how an unexpected contribution from a bench player can change the pace of a game.

Robinson took charge in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points. Nine of those points came on three-pointers, and he made 6-for-8 free throws. Boston fouled him twice on three-point attempts during the final quarter, giving Detroit valuable chances to score from the line. His outside shooting stretched the defense and helped sustain the Pistons’ attack during the most important part of the comeback.

Detroit’s leading players also delivered. Jalen Duren recorded 22 points and nine rebounds, while Cade Cunningham added 22 points and eight assists. Both had been All-Stars and All-NBA selections last season and played important roles in the victory. Duren had missed the first week of training camp while he and the team negotiated a new contract, then appeared in two preseason games. He scored 13 points in the first half and collected three offensive rebounds. Detroit finished with a 24-16 advantage in second-chance points, making those additional possessions an important part of its performance.

Cunningham, meanwhile, scored 14 points in the second half, including eight in the fourth quarter. His scoring and playmaking helped the Pistons stay composed as they narrowed the deficit and took control. The balanced contributions from Cunningham, Duren, Robinson and Green gave Detroit several routes to generate offense rather than relying on one player to produce the entire rally.

George’s performance was one of the night’s defining individual stories, even though Boston lost. The nine-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA performer scored 38 points, setting a record for the most points in a Celtics debut. He surpassed the previous mark of 30 points by Kristaps Porziņģis in 2023. George scored 17 points in the first half and added 14 in the third quarter. He also made three consecutive Celtics three-pointers during the stretch that gave Boston its 72-50 lead. Overall, he shot 12-for-21 from the field and 7-for-12 on three-pointers.

NBC play-by-play announcer Terry Gannon summed up the quality of George’s early performance in the second quarter, saying, “If you were wondering what Paul George in a Celtics uniform was going to look like, it’s a pretty good look right now.” His debut provided Boston with an immediate scoring threat, although Detroit’s late defensive pressure and offensive surge ultimately decided the result.

Jayson Tatum had a difficult night as a scorer, finishing with 13 points on 6-for-23 shooting, including 0-for-7 on three-pointers. In the second half, he went 1-for-10 and scored just two points. However, Tatum contributed a game-high 11 assists. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla supported his decision-making, saying that Tatum should continue to make the right play and take open shots, even when his shooting is not falling. Mazzulla described the 11 assists as evidence of playing the game the right way, while adding that Boston needed to execute more effectively.

Bickerstaff also credited Ausar Thompson’s defense. The coach emphasized that Thompson’s ability in one-on-one situations can make life difficult for any opponent. That defensive work mattered in a game where George was highly productive but the Celtics could not maintain their advantage. Boston’s loss therefore came despite an exceptional debut performance and a strong third-quarter lead, while Detroit’s collective effort carried it through the final stretch.

The season-opening tripleheader also featured the champion Knicks hosting the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the San Antonio Spurs. On a day of compelling matchups, the Pistons, 76ers and Thunder emerged victorious. The opening slate introduced the new season with both high-profile individual performances and a striking example of how quickly a game can change.

Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. He can be reached at jzillgitt@nba.com, and his archive and X account are available through the publication’s site.

Key Insights Table

Afterwards...

The Pistons’ opening-night win offers an early example of the resilience and depth that can shape a team’s season. Detroit’s response came from several players, combining defense, rebounding, bench production and accurate shooting rather than depending on a single source of offense. Boston, by contrast, can take encouragement from George’s record-setting debut while reviewing how its lead disappeared in the fourth quarter.

As the 2026-27 season unfolds, this result will be one early data point in a long campaign, not a complete measure of either team. The opening tripleheader also launched a broader slate of storylines, from title contenders to rising stars. Detroit demonstrated that persistence can keep a game within reach; Boston will have opportunities to build on its new lineup and improve its late-game execution.