Pistons rally from 22 down with 23-0 run to beat Celtics 121-113 in NBA season opener
In short
The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Detroit in the NBA season opener, erasing a 22-point deficit with a 23-0 run. Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, a franchise record for a debut, but Jayson Tatum shot 6 of 23.
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The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Detroit on Tuesday in the NBA season opener, according to the Boston Globe, AP and Reuters. The Celtics led by 22 points in the third quarter, and Detroit then went on a 23-0 run to take the game. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ]
The Globe reported that the Pistons' comeback was the biggest on an NBA opening day since at least 1997-98. A Globe summary said Detroit's defense took over in the second half and sparked the run, while the Guardian US headline named Robinson as the player who sparked it. Before the game, Detroit's Cade Cunningham took a microphone at midcourt and told the crowd the NBA had wanted to start the league in Detroit this season. [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]
Paul George, acquired in the summer trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the 76ers, scored a game-high 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting. The Globe and Newsweek said that was a franchise record for a debut. The Globe said George, 36, told reporters that training camp was rocky because of the many new schemes. After the game he said: "I'm not a moral victory guy, so it means nothing. We lost. We've just got to get ready for the next one." [ 1 , 7 , 8 ]
Newsweek reported that Jayson Tatum scored 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting and went 0 of 7 from three-point range, with 11 assists and four rebounds. Tatum told reporters: "[My shot] felt good. Definitely not one of my best nights. I just have to play better. You know, part of my role is scoring." Newsweek said Derrick White and Payton Pritchard scored 17 points each. [ 7 ]
Coach Joe Mazzulla had said several times in recent weeks that he wanted to see how his team responded when things were not running smoothly, the Globe reported. White said the team had to find a way to end opposing runs quickly and was not able to do so. The Celtics next play the defending champion Knicks at TD Garden on Friday night. [ 1 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The Globe said the loss will ignite early questions for the Celtics, who open a season without Jaylen Brown. The Celtics next play the defending champion Knicks at TD Garden on Friday.
Key facts
- The Pistons beat the Celtics 121-113 in the NBA season opener in Detroit. [ 1 , 2 , 7 , 8 ]
- Boston led by 22 points in the third quarter before Detroit went on a 23-0 run. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- The Globe reported the comeback was the biggest on an NBA opening day since at least 1997-98. [ 1 ]
- Paul George scored a game-high 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting in his Celtics debut, a franchise record for a debut. [ 1 , 7 , 8 ]
- Jayson Tatum scored 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting, including 0 of 7 from three-point range, with 11 assists and four rebounds. [ 7 ]
- Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each scored 17 points for Boston. [ 7 ]
- The Celtics play the defending champion Knicks at TD Garden on Friday night. [ 1 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Which Detroit player drove the 23-0 run. Only the Guardian headline names a player, Robinson, as sparking the run; the Globe summary credits Detroit's defense in the second half.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Boston Globe published its report on the Celtics' loss to the Pistons. [ 1 ]
- AP published its report of the Pistons' 121-113 win. [ 2 ]
- Reuters published its report on the Pistons' 23-0 burst. [ 3 ]
- The Guardian US published its report crediting Robinson with sparking the 23-0 run. [ 5 ]
- The Boston Globe published a second piece saying Detroit's defense took over in the second half and sparked the 23-0 run. [ 6 ]