Sports · Basketball · 4 hrs ago
Pistons rally from 22 points down to beat Celtics in NBA opener
The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Detroit to open the NBA season.
Boston led by 22 points in the third quarter, but Detroit fought back and took control late.
A 23-0 run in the fourth quarter turned the game around for the Pistons.
The 22-point rally was the largest comeback on the first day of an NBA season in the play-by-play era, which dates back to 1997-98.
Celtics debutant Paul George scored a game-high 38 points, while Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each scored 22.
The win also marked Detroit’s largest comeback against Boston in 30 seasons, and the teams’ next steps are to continue their NBA season.
The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in their season opener after rallying from a 22-point deficit.
Detroit used a 23-0 run in the fourth quarter to take control.
The comeback was the largest on the first day of an NBA season in the play-by-play era, which dates to 1997-98.
Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, while Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each scored 22 for Detroit.
- Who
- The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics.
- What
- Detroit came back from 22 points down to beat Boston 121-113.
- When
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Detroit, in front of the Pistons' home crowd.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Detroit trailed Boston 58-45.
Boston led 72-50 after a Paul George three-pointer.
Detroit went on a 23-0 run to move ahead.
Detroit beat Boston 121-113.
- Final score
- Pistons 121, Celtics 113
- Largest deficit overcome
- 22 points
- Fourth-quarter run
- 23-0
- Paul George
- 38 points in his Celtics debut
- Cade Cunningham
- 22 points and eight assists
- Jalen Duren
- 22 points and nine rebounds
6 sources
NBA season tips off as Detroit stage epic 22-point comeback to defeat Celtics
Pistons erase 22-point deficit, stun Celtics with 23-0 fourth quarter run in season opening win
Pistons’ 22-point comeback is the largest comeback on …
Detroit erases 22-point deficit, ruins George’s debut, and beats Boston in NBA opener
Pistons pull off 22-point comeback vs. Celtics, NBA's largest on first day of season
What people are saying
The opponent doesn't matter. What people say doesn't matter.
We're a team that's known to be gritty, known to get it out the mud, known to never quit, and that's our identity.
Coach gives me the toughest matchup every night. I don't want them to score.
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The Pistons’ 22-point comeback is the largest comeback on the first day of an NBA season in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98).