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NBA winners and losers: Pistons rally past Celtics, Tatum struggles

The NBA kicked off its 2026-27 season with a dramatic twist in the league’s first game, as the Detroit Pistons staged a historic comeback against the Boston Celtics. Down by 22 points midway through the third quarter, Detroit clawed back to victory, with Javonte Green emerging as the unlikely hero.

The veteran guard, who had been held off the court for the first half, scored 19 points in the second half, including three straight three-pointers to spark the Pistons’ rally. Meanwhile, the Celtics’ new addition, Paul George, delivered a standout performance with 38 points and 10 of his first 14 shots, setting a franchise record for a debut.

His chemistry with Jayson Tatum appeared strong, though Boston’s collapse in the second half left questions about its scoring depth without Jaylen Brown. The game also highlighted early struggles for Tatum, who managed 11 assists but shot just 6 of 23 from the field, including a dismal 0 for 7 from three-point range.

The NBA’s opening-day tripleheader continued with the Knicks’ championship celebration and a Western Conference rematch between the Spurs and Thunder, capping off an eventful start to the season.

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