The Detroit Pistons just pulled off the kind of comeback you’ll be telling your grandkids about, kicking off the 2026-27 NBA season with a ridiculous 121-113 victory over the Boston Celtics. Down by a massive 22 points in the third quarter, Detroit flipped the script with an unbelievable 23-0 run in the fourth, turning what looked like a guaranteed L into a statement win.
The Collapse and the Comeback
Man, this game had everything. The Pistons started out competitive enough, only trailing Boston 28-27 after the first quarter. But then the Celtics started flexing, putting up 30 points to Detroit’s 18 in the second, cruising into halftime with a 58-45 lead. Things went from bad to worse in the third, with Boston pushing their advantage all the way to 22 points. Paul George was cooking, dropping a spectacular 38 points, and it looked like the Pistons were just gonna roll over for a frustrating opening-day loss. But nope, not this squad. They started chipping away late in the third, cutting it to 88-82 by the end of the period. That set the stage for the fourth-quarter explosion. Detroit just went ballistic, outscoring Boston 39-25 in that final frame, highlighted by that mind-blowing 23-0 scoring run that absolutely vaporized Boston’s lead. Finishing up with an eight-point W after being down 22? That’s just wild.
Big Names Stepping Up and One Huge Statement
When the chips were down, the Pistons’ stars delivered. Cade Cunningham was orchestrating everything, dropping 22 points and dishing out eight assists. He pulled down four boards too and was money from the line, perfect 5-for-5. This dude was making crucial plays down the stretch, pure clutch. Jalen Duren matched Cade with 22 points of his own, gobbling up nine rebounds. He was aggressive on offense, just like we saw him in the preseason, shooting 8-for-13 from the field and hitting six of seven free throws, owning the paint. Remember that five-year, $200 million contract extension he just signed? This performance was an immediate reminder of why he’s so key to their championship dreams. And shoutout to Duncan Robinson who lit it up for 21 points, hitting five of his nine shots from deep. His perimeter shooting opened up everything for the offense. Even Javonte Green chipped in an unexpected spark.
This wasn’t just a win, it was a declaration. These are two teams that were at the top of the Eastern Conference last season, and Detroit came into this one wanting to prove their 60-win campaign wasn’t some fluke. Staging a comeback like this on opening night against a top contender? Yeah, that sends a message. The season is only just getting started, but if this is the kind of fight we’re gonna see, buckle up, because it’s gonna be a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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