Pistons Rally from 22 points down to stun Celtics in season opener

The Detroit Pistons launched their 2026–27 NBA campaign in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 22-point deficit to defeat the visiting Boston Celtics 121–113 on Tuesday night, powered by a sensational second-half performance from Duncan Robinson.

Robinson finished with a team-high 21 points, playing a pivotal role in Detroit’s comeback as the Pistons overturned a substantial deficit and seized control with a remarkable fourth-quarter surge.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren contributed 22 points apiece, while reserve guard Javonte Green added 19 points. Ausar Thompson also delivered an all-around performance, recording 11 points and 11 rebounds to help Detroit complete its comeback.

The turning point arrived in the fourth quarter, when the Pistons unleashed a stunning 23–0 scoring run. Robinson accounted for 12 points during the decisive stretch, helping Detroit transform a narrow deficit into a commanding 112–99 advantage.

Green’s three-pointer with 6:41 remaining put Detroit ahead 101–99, marking the team’s first lead since early in the second quarter. From that moment, the Pistons never relinquished control.

“We just didn’t do our brand of basketball good enough in the first half, and we had to turn it up,” Cunningham said. “We had a good talk at halftime and lit that fire a little bit better.

“We’ve just got to get our camaraderie, our synergy, a little bit better, but that will come as the season goes on.”

Paul George Shines Despite Celtics Defeat

Despite Boston’s collapse, Paul George delivered an impressive individual performance in his Celtics debut, scoring 38 points to establish the highest-scoring debut by a player in franchise history.

The nine-time NBA All-Star, who arrived from the Philadelphia 76ers in a July trade that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, also recorded five rebounds, five steals and three assists. At 36, George provided Boston with a major offensive presence, although his production ultimately proved insufficient to secure the victory.

Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each finished with 17 points, while Jayson Tatum added 13. Tatum struggled to find his rhythm offensively, shooting just 6-of-23 from the field.

Boston appeared firmly in control during the opening half. George scored 12 of his 17 first-half points in the second quarter, helping the Celtics capitalise on a 15–0 scoring run to establish a 58–45 halftime advantage.

Detroit responded after the break, gradually chipping away at the deficit with greater offensive intensity and improved perimeter shooting.

The Pistons put together a 27–9 run in the third quarter, cutting Boston’s lead to 88–82 heading into the final period. Green proved particularly effective from beyond the arc, converting five of his eight three-point attempts, while Cunningham knocked down five of nine from long range.

That improved shooting set the stage for Detroit’s decisive fourth-quarter explosion, as the Celtics struggled to contain the hosts’ momentum.

Detroit Sends an Early Message

The comeback provided an emphatic start to the season for a Detroit team looking to build on its success from the previous campaign, when it finished as the Eastern Conference’s regular-season leader.

Facing Boston, the conference runner-up, the Pistons demonstrated resilience and offensive firepower in a game that appeared to be slipping away during the first half.

Rather than allowing the deficit to dictate the outcome, Detroit responded with defensive pressure, timely three-point shooting and a dominant stretch of basketball that completely changed the contest.

For Boston, the defeat offered an early reminder of the importance of maintaining consistency across all four quarters. The Celtics had built a substantial advantage, but their inability to respond to Detroit’s late surge ultimately cost them the opening-night victory.

NBA Season Gets Underway

The Pistons’ comeback headlined an opening night packed with storylines as the 81st NBA season got underway.

Elsewhere, LeBron James and his new Philadelphia 76ers teammates were scheduled to begin their campaign against the New York Knicks, who were set to raise their 2026 championship banner at Madison Square Garden.

Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs were preparing to open their season at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder, renewing their rivalry following last season’s Western Conference Finals.

For Detroit, however, the spotlight belonged to Robinson and the Pistons, whose remarkable second-half turnaround delivered an early statement of intent.

Overcoming a 22-point deficit to defeat Boston was more than an opening-night victory. It was a demonstration of the resilience and firepower Detroit will hope to carry throughout the 2026–27 campaign.