Pistons overcome 22-point deficit to beat Celtics in NBA season opener

The 2026-27 NBA season opened on Oct. 21 Japan time (Oct. 20 local time) with the Boston Celtics facing the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons rallied from a deficit of as many as 22 points to win.

Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Derrick White, Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Walsh started for Boston. Detroit started Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, John Collins and Duncan Robinson.

George, who joined the Celtics this season, was productive from the start. He knocked down three-pointers one after another, scored 17 points in the first half and reached 31 points midway through the third quarter. Behind George, Boston built a lead of as many as 22 points.

Playing its home opener, Detroit fought back led by Cunningham and Duren. The Pistons cut into the margin in the third quarter and trailed 82-88, a six-point gap, entering the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Detroit went on a 23-0 run to take the lead. The Celtics mounted a late comeback attempt, but the Pistons held on for the win.

The NBA is a men's professional league in North America with 30 teams. It plays an 82-game regular season and decides its champion through the playoffs. Opening games give teams a chance to assess how new players fit and how key players work together.

A run refers to a team scoring consecutive points without allowing the opponent to score. A three-pointer is a shot made from beyond the three-point line and is worth three points. Opening games can shift momentum quickly.

The Pistons earned a home-opening victory, while the Celtics lost their first game of the season. Attention now turns to how both teams approach the early part of the season and how they use their key players.

Basketball Press view

The Pistons' comeback from a 22-point deficit to win the NBA season opener shows that a first game cannot fully reveal a team's character. The Celtics also saw the game turn decisively on Detroit's 23-0 fourth-quarter run. Opening games test how new players fit in and how key players work together, and a large early lead does not always lead to a win. The comeback offers readers a clear example of a team's resilience.

This article was written by the Basketball Press editors based on the cited reports. AI is used to assist in writing and translating our articles. Please check the source for full details and exact figures.