Pistons Rally From 22 Down to Stun Celtics in NBA Opener — SkimNews
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- Detroit Pistons overcame a 22-point deficit — fueled by a 23-0 fourth-quarter run — to beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 on NBA opening night, marking the largest comeback against Boston in the last 30 seasons
- Javonte Green scored 19 points after sitting the entire first half, with his fifth 3-pointer giving Detroit a 13-point lead with 3:33 left, while Cade Cunningham added 22 points and 8 assists
- Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut — the most by a Celtic in a debut — after Boston acquired him from Philadelphia in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum struggled in the season opener, missing 17 of 23 shots and finishing with 13 points and 11 assists, with his defensive lapses directly enabling Green's late dagger 3
- Jalen Duren (22 points, 9 rebounds), Duncan Robinson (21 points, 5-of-9 from three), and Ausar Thompson (11 points, 11 rebounds) joined Cunningham and Green in double figures as Boston's early 72-50 lead evaporated
Why it matters: The opening-night loss is an ominous early result for a Celtics front office that traded 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to land Paul George, whose 38-point debut still wasn't enough to fend off the largest blown lead against Boston in 30 years. Detroit, meanwhile, validated its roster construction by winning a statement game from a bench player (Green) who didn't log a single first-half minute.
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