Detroit overturn 22-point deficit to beat Boston in NBA opener
Detroit beat Boston 121-113 after trailing by 22 points early in the third quarter. Javonte Green scored all of his 19 points after half-time as the Pistons overturned the deficit. Paul George’s 38-point Celtics debut ended in defeat, while Detroit received matching 22-point contributions from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren.
Sports··Morning
Green supplies the second-half surge
Detroit Pistons beat Boston Celtics 121-113 in the opening game of the National Basketball Association season. The Pistons turned the contest around after half-time to begin their campaign with a victory.[1], [2]
Javonte Green played no part in the first half, then scored 19 points after the interval. He made five three-pointers, including the shot that put Detroit ahead. Jalen Duren followed with a three-point play, and Duncan Robinson added another three-pointer as the Pistons extended their advantage in the fourth quarter.[1]
Boston’s 22-point lead disappears
Boston had led 72-50 early in the third quarter. Paul George hit three three-pointers in quick succession during the run that carried the Celtics 22 points clear. Detroit cut that deficit to six by the end of the period before completing the recovery in the fourth. George finished with 38 points, the highest total by a player on his Celtics debut.[1]
George arrived from Philadelphia in exchange for Jaylen Brown, the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 NBA Finals. The nine-time All-Star was starting his 17th season in the league. His scoring gave Boston a strong individual debut but did not prevent Detroit’s comeback.[1]
Cunningham and Duren share Detroit’s scoring lead
Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and eight assists, while Duren added 22 points and nine rebounds. Robinson scored 21, making five of his nine attempts from three-point range. Ausar Thompson contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds. Those performances accompanied Green’s second-half scoring as Detroit recovered from its substantial deficit.[1]
For Boston, Jayson Tatum made six of 23 shots and finished with 13 points and 11 assists. He was beginning his first full season since tearing his Achilles tendon in May 2025. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each scored 17 points. Boston’s next fixture is at home to the New York Knicks on Friday; Detroit next travels to Miami, also on Friday.[1]
