Duncan Robinson scored 21 points to lead a strong second-half comeback as the Detroit Pistons defeated the visiting Boston Celtics 121-113 in the opening game of the 2026-27 NBA season on Thursday night.
Detroit, the reigning Eastern Conference regular-season champions, trailed by as many as 22 points before launching a decisive 23-0 run in the fourth quarter. Robinson contributed 12 points during that streak, which gave the Pistons a 112-99 lead they would not relinquish. Javonte Green’s three-pointer with just over six minutes left put Detroit ahead 101-99 for the first time since early in the second quarter. Boston was unable to regain the lead in the closing minutes.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each scored 22 points for Detroit, while Green added 19 off the bench. Ausar Thompson also posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Cunningham attributed the turnaround to a halftime reset. “We had a good talk at halftime and lit that fire a little bit better,” he said. “We’ve just got to get our camaraderie, our synergy, a little bit better, but that will come as the season goes on.”
Boston’s Paul George led all scorers with 38 points in his Celtics debut. The 36-year-old forward, acquired from Philadelphia in July in exchange for Jaylen Brown, also contributed five rebounds, five steals and three assists. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each added 17 points, while Jayson Tatum struggled, finishing with 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting.
The matchup between Detroit and Boston, who finished as runner-up in the Eastern Conference last season, set the tone for a competitive opening night. Other teams that tipped off their campaigns included LeBron James and his new Philadelphia 76ers squad, as well as the San Antonio Spurs, who hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder.