The Pistons beat the Celtics 121-113 on October 21, 2026, closing on a 23-0 fourth-quarter run, the largest opening-day comeback in the play-by-play era since 1997-98. Paul George scored 38 points on 21 shots; Jayson Tatum shot 6 of 23 and 0 of 7 from three. J.B. Bickerstaff credited Ausar Thompson, who signed a deal worth about $150 million, for slowing Tatum, and Detroit's bench scored 39, including 19 second-half points from Devontae Green, who did not play in the first half. Mitchell Robinson had one offensive rebound in 18 minutes in his first game as a Celtic and turned an ankle early, while Detroit attempted 40 threes, something it did only seven times all of last season.