Pistons storm back from 22-point hole to spoil Paul George’s historic Celtics debut, win NBA’s season opener

October 20, 2026

The Detroit Pistons opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a dramatic 121-113 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, overcoming a 22-point deficit to secure the season opener. The win marked the first regular-season game of the campaign and came after the Pistons, last year’s Eastern Conference regular-season champions, staged a 23-0 fourth-quarter run to turn the contest around.

The victory also set the tone for a season in which the Celtics, despite the high expectations surrounding their newest addition, faced an early setback in Detroit.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived in the final quarter, where the Pistons’ offense provided the spark. Duncan Robinson, who had been a key contributor in recent campaigns, delivered 21 points to fuel the comeback.

The Pistons’ defense tightened and their offense found rhythm in the closing minutes, while the Celtics experienced a fourth-quarter collapse.

Paul George’s highly anticipated debut for the Boston Celtics fell short of expectations, despite setting a franchise record with 38 points before the third quarter ended. George, acquired in a blockbuster trade this past summer that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, scored his first official basket for Boston in the first quarter.

However, the Celtics’ offense stalled in the second half, with Jayson Tatum playing in the game.

The game, broadcast on NBC as the league’s season opener, began at 3 p.m. in Detroit, marking the first regular-season contest of the 2026-27 NBA season.

The victory provided an immediate statement for the Pistons, who entered the season as defending Eastern Conference champions, while the Celtics now look to regroup after a disappointing start.

This report also draws on coverage from San Antonio Express-News, New Castle News, roundtable.io, MassLive.com.