Pistons comeback vs Celtics: Detroit rallied from a 22-point deficit to beat Boston 121 to 113 in the 2026 to 2027 season opener, delivering the franchise’s first victory of the new campaign.
Boston controlled the first half, opening with an aggressive attack that left the Pistons trailing 58 to 45 at intermission. New Celtics signing Paul George scored early and often, knocking down long-range shots and finishing with a game-high 38 points.
Boston extended its lead to 72 to 50 early in the third quarter, a 22-point margin that looked decisive. Detroit, however, began chipping away when reserves Javonte Green and Duncan Robinson heated up from beyond the arc.
Pistons comeback vs Celtics, how it happened
The Pistons scored 37 points in the third quarter to cut into Boston’s lead and entered the fourth trailing 99 to 89. Then Detroit mounted a decisive charge, executing a 23 to 0 scoring run that flipped the game and put the Pistons ahead 112 to 99.
Detroit’s defense forced a long drought for Boston in the fourth quarter, while Cade Cunningham fed the offense with timely assists and Jalen Duren controlled the paint. Robinson poured in 15 fourth-quarter points off the bench to complete the surge.
Key runs and defense
The run that decided the game came after the Pistons tightened their rotation and increased pressure on the ball. Detroit’s rotation defense produced turnovers and transition chances, which translated into a sustained scoring burst in the final minutes.
According to NBA records, the comeback was the largest against the Celtics in the past 30 seasons.
Box score highlights
The NBA box score showed Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and eight assists, while Jalen Duren had 22 points and nine rebounds. Duncan Robinson, coming off the bench, hit five three-pointers and finished with 21 points, and Javonte Green added 19 points.
For Boston, Paul George led all scorers with 38 points. The Celtics said George’s 38 points marked the highest scoring debut for a player in franchise history. Jayson Tatum struggled, going 6 for 23 from the field, 0 for 7 from three-point range, and finishing with 13 points, according to the NBA box score.
The Pistons comeback vs Celtics underlined Detroit’s depth and late-game execution, and it gives the team momentum heading into its second game. The Celtics, meanwhile, will look to regain form after surrendering a double-digit lead late in regulation.
Coach and player comments were made after the game, and both teams will publish full postgame notes and quotes on their official sites and in league reports. The Pistons will host their next game at Little Caesars Arena, while the Celtics open a short road swing.
