The Detriot Pistons put together an epic 23-0 fourth quarter run as they overcame a 22-point deficit — the largest come-from-behind victory against the Boston Celtics in the past 30 seasons — to seal a stunning 121-113 victory.
Javonte Green scored 19 points after sitting out the first half and Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and eight assists to help the Pistons win as the NBA season kicked off in style on Tuesday.
Paul George scored 38 points, the most by a Celtic on his debut. The nine-time All-Star, in his 17th season, showed he still has it in his first game with Boston since acquiring him from Philadelphia in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
Jayson Tatum, a six-time All-Star, was off his game, hitting 17 of 23 shots and had 13 points and 11 assists.
His lack of hustle on defense allowed Green to bide his time for a fifth 3-pointer that gave the Pistons a 13-point lead with 3:33 left.
Boston took its biggest lead early in the third quarter at 72-50 after George made three 3-pointers in less than a minute.
Detroit cut the deficit to six points after three quarters and went ahead in the fourth.
Green made a go-ahead 3, Duren added a three-point play and Duncan Robinson connected on a 3 to put the Pistons ahead 107-99 with 5:10 to go.
Jalen Duren had 22 points and nine rebounds with Robinson scoring 21 points – making 5 of 9 3-pointers – and Ausar Thompson added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons.
Boston’s Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each scored 17 points.
NBA Opening Night on Sky Sports
Tuesday, October 20 – Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks – 11:00 p.m. Sky Sports’ main event (Tip at 12:00)
Wednesday, October 21 – Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs – 2.30am, Sky Sports’ main event
Watch LeBron’s Sixers take on the Knicks and all the other action from the NBA’s opening night live on Sky Sports. Don’t have Sky? Get the latest Sky Sports offers OR stream without contract