NBA: Detroit Pistons stage epic 22-point comeback to defeat Boston Celtics as season tips off in style
Detroit Pistons rally from 22-points down to beat Boston Celtics 121-113 with Javonte Green and Cade Cunningham’s 22 points and 8 assists winning the day at Little Caesars Arena
Tuesday 20 October 2026 23:19, UK
Detriot Pistons staged an epic 23-0 run in the fourth quarter as they overcame a 22-point deficit - the largest come-from-behind win against the Boston Celtics in the last 30 seasons - to seal a stunning 121-113 win.
Javonte Green scored 19 points after not playing in the first half and Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and eight assists, helping the Pistons to victory as the NBA season tipped off in style on Tuesday.
Paul George scored 38 points, the most by a Celtic in his debut. The nine-time All-Star, in his 17th season, showed he's still got it in his first game with Boston since it acquired him from Philadelphia in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
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Jayson Tatum, a six-time All-Star, was off his game, missing 17 of 23 shots and had 13 points and 11 assists.
His lack of hustle on defense allowed Green to take his time for a fifth 3-pointer that gave the Pistons a 13-point lead with 3:33 left.
Boston took their biggest lead early in the third quarter at 72-50 after George made three 3-pointers in less than a minute.
Detroit cut the deficit to six points after three quarters and surged ahead in the fourth.
Green made a go-ahead 3, Duren added a three-point play and Duncan Robinson connected on a 3 to put the Pistons ahead 107-99 with 5:10 to go.
Jalen Duren had 22 points and nine rebounds with Robinson scoring 21 points - making 5 of 9 3-pointers - and Ausar Thompson added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons.
Boston's Derrick White and Payton Pritchard scored 17 points apiece.
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