Detroit Pistons Defeat Boston Celtics 121-113 in Season Opener

The Detroit Pistons opened the 2026-27 NBA season on Tuesday with a thrilling 121-113 comeback victory against the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena. Despite trailing by as many as 22 points in the third quarter, Detroit outscored Boston 72-50 in the second half to secure the win.

The matchup marked the debut of Paul George in a Celtics uniform following an offseason trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. George made an immediate impact, scoring 38 points, grabbing five rebounds, recording five steals, and dishing out three assists. His stellar performance set a franchise record for points scored in a Celtics debut.

Boston controlled the tempo in the opening half, taking a 58-45 lead into halftime after a strong 19-4 run led by George and Jayson Tatum. George continued his offensive onslaught into the third quarter, pushing the visiting team's advantage to 22 points before his production slowed down near the end of the period.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the second half as the Pistons mounted a fierce comeback. Sparked by reserve forward Javonte Green, who contributed 19 points in just 18 minutes of play after entering early in the third quarter, Detroit rattled off a massive 23-0 run to regain control of the contest.

Duncan Robinson also played a pivotal role in Detroit's resurgence, scoring 15 points in the final frame, including an 11-point individual run that helped erase the deficit. Cade Cunningham added clutch scoring down the stretch, finishing with strong fourth-quarter production to seal the victory for the home side.

Jalen Duren anchored the frontcourt for the Pistons with 22 points and nine rebounds, providing crucial baskets during tough stretches of the game. Meanwhile, Ausar Thompson anchored the defensive effort for Detroit, making key stops and hitting a late midrange jumper with 41 seconds remaining to help secure the outcome.

For Boston, Jayson Tatum struggled with his shooting efficiency, managing 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting from the field, though he contributed 11 assists. Center Mitchell Robinson also made his Celtics debut, briefly scaring the bench after tweaking his ankle in the second quarter before returning to action.

The Celtics will look to rebound on Friday night when they travel back to Boston to host the defending champion New York Knicks in George's home debut. The Pistons will travel to face the Miami Heat for their next matchup.