Pistons Erase 22-Point Deficit to Defeat Celtics in Historic Season Opener

Detroit used a 23-0 run in the fourth quarter to secure a 121-113 victory over the Boston Celtics after trailing by 22 points.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 121-113 on Tuesday, overcoming a 22-point third-quarter deficit to record the largest opening-day comeback in the NBA's play-by-play era. Detroit trailed 99-89 with 8:19 remaining in the game before executing a 23-0 run to take a 112-99 lead with 3:33 left on the clock. This surge tied the franchise's largest scoring run over the last 10 seasons.

Duncan Robinson led the fourth-quarter charge by scoring 15 of his 21 points in the final period, including three 3-pointers. Cade Cunningham finished the contest with 22 points and eight assists, while Jalen Duren recorded 22 points and nine rebounds. Ausar Thompson added 11 points and five assists while serving as the primary defender for Boston’s Jayson Tatum.

Paul George scored a game-high 38 points in his Celtics debut, extending Boston's lead to 22 following a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter. Tatum contributed 13 points and 11 assists but shot 6-for-23 from the field. The Celtics held a 58-45 advantage at halftime and led by as many as 15 points during the first half before Detroit’s late-game rally secured the win.