Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Pistons rally past Celtics in NBA season opener
Detroit rallied to beat Boston in the first game of the 2026-27 NBA season.
The season began with a three-game opening-night lineup.
The Pistons were coming off a 60-win season, while Boston opened with Jayson Tatum and Paul George playing together.
Their debut gave the Celtics a new pairing to watch as the season began.
The opening-night schedule also featured the Knicks hosting the 76ers at Madison Square Garden, where New York raised a banner for the first time in 50 years.
The night was set to finish with a rematch between the Spurs and Thunder, who had met in the 2026 Western Conference finals.
The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA regular-season opener on Tuesday.
Detroit rallied from a 22-point deficit after Boston led 72-50 early in the third quarter.
The Pistons scored 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take control.
Duncan Robinson scored 21 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and Javonte Green added 19.
Paul George scored a game-high 38 points in his Celtics debut.
- Who
- The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics.
- What
- Detroit beat Boston 121-113 in the NBA regular-season opener.
- When
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Detroit, at the Pistons’ home arena.
- Why
- The Pistons rallied in the fourth quarter and scored 23 unanswered points.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Boston took its biggest lead, moving ahead 72-50 after Paul George made three three-pointers.
Detroit cut the deficit to six points by the end of the quarter.
The Pistons scored 23 unanswered points and took a 112-99 lead.
Javonte Green made two free throws to seal Detroit’s 121-113 win.
- Final score
- Detroit Pistons 121, Boston Celtics 113
- Pistons scorer
- Duncan Robinson: 21 points
- Pistons scorer
- Javonte Green: 19 points
- Celtics scorer
- Paul George: 38 points
- Boston’s largest lead
- 22 points, at 72-50
5 sources
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