Detroit Pistons rally from 22 points down to beat Celtics 121-113

Detroit Pistons erased a 22‑point fourth‑quarter hole to beat the Boston Celtics 121‑113 on opening night, completing a 23‑0 run that gave them the largest comeback against Boston in the past three decades. The surge came after a timeout with 7:45 left, and the Pistons never looked back, sealing a dramatic win that set the tone for the league’s first week of action.

The victory matters because Detroit entered the season still rebuilding after three straight years without a playoff berth. The Pistons, led by sophomore guard Jaden Ivey and rookie forward Jaden Duren, have been looking to prove that their young core can compete with elite teams. Boston, a perennial Eastern Conference contender that reached the 2024 NBA Finals, was expected to dominate the matchup and start the season with a confidence‑boosting win. The comeback therefore signals that the Pistons’ offseason moves – including a trade for veteran point guard Tyrese Haliburton and a new emphasis on defensive intensity – may be paying off.

Ivey spearheaded the rally, finishing with 32 points, eight assists and three steals, while Haliburton added 24 points and a career‑high five three‑pointers. Boston’s Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 27 points, but the team faltered after a series of turnovers and missed free throws that allowed Detroit to close the gap. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game, “We got caught flat‑footed; we have to tighten up in