It was a strong season opener for 36-year-old Paul George, who helped lead the Boston Celtics despite a 121-113 loss to the Pistons on the road. Boston was in control early and had the upper hand for most of the game. Detroit kept hammering away at that lead as it seemed like the Celtics got a little too comfortable.
George’s incredible scoring night ultimately was not enough to overcome Detroit’s defensive intensity and late-game shooting. While Boston has plenty to feel good about individually, the loss showed just how difficult it will be to put this Pistons team away.
George averaged 17.3 points per game during the 2025-26 NBA season, but he caught fire in the opener, scoring 38 points. This set a new record for the most points in a Celtics debut, surpassing Kristaps Porzingis’ mark of 30 points in 2023.
George shot 12-of-21 from the field, including an impressive 7-of-12 from three-point range, while making seven of his eight free throws. He also contributed five rebounds, three assists, and five steals. His 57.1% shooting from the field and 58.3% from beyond the arc made this an incredibly efficient scoring performance, especially for a player entering his 36-year-old season.
This is an encouraging sign for Celtics fans. Boston’s decision to let Jaylen Brown leave for rival Philadelphia during the offseason was a major talking point heading into the new season. George’s performance could help ease concerns about how the Celtics will replace Brown’s production.
George’s big night also highlighted a problem for Boston. Jayson Tatum finished with 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting, including 0-of-7 from the three-point range. George did his part, but Boston will need more consistent production from its other star to avoid wasting performances like this one.
The Pistons showed the same grit that has made them such a competitive team in recent years. They mounted a comeback after a Javonte Green three-pointer cut the deficit to 78-69.
Detroit eventually erased a deficit that reached 22 points, turning what looked like a comfortable Boston victory into a stunning comeback. Near the end, Green hit another three to cap off an incredible 23-0 run that put the Pistons up 112-99. The Detroit defense had completely disrupted the Celtics’ offense, and Boston had no immediate answer.
Detroit’s comeback was about more than just effort. The Pistons found their rhythm from beyond the arc and took advantage of Boston’s struggles to generate consistent offense. Green and Duncan Robinson both finished with five three-pointers each, providing the perimeter production Detroit needs around superstar Cade Cunningham, who finished with 22 on 8-18 shooting.
Robinson was especially important late in the game, finishing with 21 points. His back-to-back threes in the fourth quarter helped cut Boston’s lead to four before Detroit continued its push. Green added 19 points, giving the Pistons another unexpected scoring threat when they needed one most.
Detroit showed signs of a team capable of competing in the Eastern Conference once again. Its second-half defense helped fuel the comeback, while its improved three-point shooting provided the offensive spark needed to complete it. They forced the Celtics to 14 turnovers and constantly attacked and hunted on defense in the second half.
Duren entered the 2026-27 NBA season with plenty to prove after signing a contract extension this offseason. Questions remained about his ability to deliver in the postseason following his disappointing playoff performance last year.
His final stat line was strong, as he finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. Duren also shot an efficient 8-of-13 from the field, giving Detroit a reliable interior scoring option throughout the game.
The bigger question is whether he can carry his regular-season production into the moments that matter most. While one game cannot answer that question, this was an encouraging start and a confidence boost for Duren and his Pistons teammates.
Both teams have the potential to compete near the top of the Eastern Conference this season, but they have different lessons to take from this matchup.
For Boston, the biggest concern is how quickly a commanding lead disappeared. George delivered a historic debut, but Tatum’s shooting struggles and Detroit’s late-game surge proved costly. The Celtics will need to find ways to close games when their offense stalls, especially against teams capable of generating momentum from the perimeter.
For Detroit, this comeback should provide an early confidence boost. Every time the Celtics tried to put the Pistons away, Detroit found a way to make a play and get back into the game. Nearly every Piston had a moment, from Green’s timely three-pointers to Robinson’s back-to-back shots in the fourth quarter.
The Pistons also showed the value of having multiple perimeter scoring threats around Cunningham. When Detroit needed offense, Green and Robinson stepped up rather than forcing Cunningham to do everything himself. If that shooting continues throughout the season, Detroit could become a much tougher matchup for opposing defenses.
One game does not define your season, but it is a little alarming that the Celtics got so much production out of George and still fell short. George’s 38 points on efficient shooting were exactly the kind of performance Boston hoped to get from him. However, his debut also showed that the Celtics need more consistent production from Tatum and the rest of the roster.
For Detroit, this comeback should provide an early confidence boost. The Pistons showed they can overcome a difficult start, generate offense from beyond the arc, and lean on their defense when the game is on the line. These are the same qualities they relied on last season, when they finished with 60 wins and established themselves as one of the Eastern Conference’s strongest teams.
The biggest takeaway is that Detroit has the resilience and scoring depth to make life difficult for opponents, while Boston has plenty to figure out despite George’s spectacular debut. If the Pistons can maintain this level of defensive intensity and perimeter shooting, they could be a serious threat in the East once again.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
