The first game of the 2026-27 NBA regular season is officially in the books after the league's opening day arrived earlier than ever, beginning with a rare matinee between two Eastern Conference contenders.
The Detroit Pistons erased a 22-point second-half deficit to beat the Boston Celtic, 121-113, as the NBA unveiled a weekday afternoon opener. The initiative, spearheaded by NBC as part of the second year of its media-rights partnership with the league, was designed to turn opening day into an all-day event.
Here's a breakdown of what happened in this a compelling matchup of two teams with Eastern Conference title aspirations:
Celtics vs Pistons: Score, highlights, recap
Jayson Tatum's second-half struggles doom Celtics
07:03 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
Jayson Tatum's evolution as a playmaker was evident in the season opener, as he finished with 11 assists. But Boston also needs him to be its primary scorer, particularly after trading Jaylen Brown, and he couldn't fill that role in the second half. His poor shooting performance contributed to the team's collapse. He was 1-for-9 from the floor after halftime, and his lone field goal came with less than three minutes left and the Pistons' lead in double digits. Tatum was just 6 of 23 from the floor and 0-for 7-from 3-point range overall on Tuesday.
Jalen Duren talks Pistons' 'gritty' identity
06:55 PM ET, October 20 2026, Ellen J. Horrow
Jalen Duren helped power Detroit to their historic comeback against the Celtics, tallying 22 points and nine rebounds while shooting 8-for-13 from the field.
Duren, who agreed to a new five-year, $200 million contract with the Pistons earlier this month, said Tuesday's comeback "just embodied the culture and what we're trying to build here.
"We're a team who's known to be gritty, knowing when to get out of the mud, knowing when to never quit. And that's our identity. Even the guys who are new here are embodying that, and that's why were able to have the outcome we had."
Javonte Green shines for Pistons
06:42 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
Much of the offseason discussion in Detroit centered on whether the Pistons had added enough shooting around Cade Cunningham. But Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff turned to a lesser-known returning player on Tuesday to provide an unlikely spark that kick-started Detroit after beginning its season opener 4 of 22 from beyond the arc.
Green had 19 points and played nearly 18 minutes in the second half after not playing during the first two quarters of the game. A veteran in his second season with the Pistons, Green drilled three consecutive 3-pointers shortly after entering in the third quarter before adding two more in the fourth, including the go-ahead basket.
Javonte Green caps a 23-0 DETROIT RUN 😱
Pistons out in the front late in the 4Q on NBC and Peacock! pic.twitter.com/kI3fd1ViX4
— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2026
Cade Cunnigham explains Pistons' second-half mindset
06:23 PM ET, October 20 2026, Ellen J. Horrow
"We just didn't do our brand of basketball good enough in the first half. And we had to turn it up," Pistons star Cade Cunningham said after the game. "You know, we had a good talk at halftime, and we lit that fire a little bit better. … We just got to keep on getting our comraderie, our synergy a little bit better, but that will come as the season goes."
"It's a blessing. It makes my life easy."
Cade Cunningham on being surrounded by elite shooting as the Pistons drained 15 triples in a win to start the season! pic.twitter.com/ATVNGzvF9h
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 20, 2026
Pistons' comeback makes NBA history
06:11 PM ET, October 20 2026, Ellen J. Horrow
The Detroit Pistons made history in their season-opening over the Boston Celtics. The Pistons completed the largest comeback of the first day of an NBA season in the play-by-play era.
The Pistons’ 22-point comeback is the largest comeback on the first day of an NBA season in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98). pic.twitter.com/qICSxEp998
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 20, 2026
"I mean it's just who we are," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said about the comeback. "These guys are relentless. You know, they never say die. As long as there is time on the clock they believe they can win. It talks to the resolve of the group, but again, how connected the group is.
"In those moments, you can very easily fracture, and everybody can try do to their own thing, but when we find ourselves in these moments, our guys come together even more. And that's what makes us such a hard out."
Watch: Celtics vs Pistons game highlights
06:04 PM ET, October 20 2026
Pistons close out comeback win over Celtics
05:40 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The Pistons have polished off their remarkable comeback to open the 2026-27 NBA regular season behind a resurgent defense and hot 3-point shooting after halftime. Role players like Duncan Robinson and Javonte Green provided huge boosts off the bench, while stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each had 22 points to lead the team.
The Celtics briefly closed to within four in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, but a pullup jumper by Ausar Thompson just before the shot clock buzzer went off stemmed the tide.
Duncan Robinson, Pistons erase huge deficit vs Celtics
05:19 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The Pistons have come all the way back against the Celtics after falling behind by as many as 22 points in the second half of their season opener. Javonte Green hit another 3-pointer to give Detroit the lead and Jalen Duren backed it up with a 3-point play. The Pistons' defense has been suffocating, but Duncan Robinson has been on fire in the fourth quarter. He's got 14 points in less than seven minutes of action and Little Caesars Arena is going nuts.
Key stats as Celtics-Pistons start fourth quarter
05:01 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The Celtics are nursing a lead entering the fourth quarter of their season opener because they're shooting the ball well from 3-point range. Boston is 14 of 31 from 3-point range, which has helped offset 12 turnovers. Detroit, meanwhile, is starting to impose its will in the paint with 24 second-chance points and a 36-26 advantage in points in the paint.
This is a matchup of contrasts thus far, with Boston sticking to the perimeter and the Pistons doing much of their damage inside. But Detroit is starting the fourth quarter with a smaller lineup featuring John Collins at center. Keep that in mind as the fourth quarter plays out.
Pistons make huge push with defense, Javonte Green 3-pointers
04:51 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The Pistons trailed the Celtics by as much as 22 points during the third quarter, but they've come roaring back and cut the deficit to single digits. Cade Cunningham is making an impact, but it's Detroit's increased defensive intensity and the hot shooting of Javonte Green that have spurred the comeback.
Green had three 3-pointers in a short time frame after not playing in the first half. The Pistons had started the game 4 of 22 from long range and coach J.B. Bickerstaff went searching for a spark. He found one in Green and suddenly this season opener has turned in the close game most expected it to be.
Javonte Green hits back to back 3s off the Celtics' timeout to give him 11 points.
He also hit a 3 just prior to the timeout. pic.twitter.com/0jaCXGnrXL— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) October 20, 2026
Paul George is feeling it in historic Celtics debut
04:39 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The Celtics are turning this season-opening NBA game into a rout early in the third quarter as their lead briefly ballooned above 20 and forced a quick timeout by Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Paul George has a lot to do with it.
Brought to Boston as part of the Jaylen Brown trade, George has 31 points in 20 minutes of action so far. He's 10 of 14 from the floor and 6 of 8 from 3-point range. Those 31 points are a new franchise record for a Celtics debut.
The 36-year-old has played well off of Tatum, suggesting this partnership could keep the Celtics among the Eastern Conference's elite if George can stay healthy. That's a big if considering his recent track record, but George's debut for Boston has been a treat.
Celtics surge into halftime behind Jayson Tatum, Paul George
04:10 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The Celtics reeled off a 12-0 run as the Pistons went more than six minutes between baskets during the second quarter and Boston has taken a 58-45 lead into halftime at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Paul George is authoring quite the debut for the Celtics, with 17 first-half points and three 3-pointers. Jayson Tatum, meanwhile, has been the best player on the court with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Jalen Duren leads the Pistons with 13 points, but they're shooting below 40% as a team after that slump midway through the second quarter. A 3-pointer by Kevin Huerter at the buzzer was waved off for having left his hands after the buzzer began to sound.
Mitchell Robinson comes up limping after possible injury
03:45 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
Celtics center Mitchell Robinson, who the team signed from the New York Knicks this offseason, appeared to roll his ankle during a play early in the second quarter. He came up limping as the game went to a media timeout but remained on the court when the contest resumed. The possible injury occurred shortly after Robinson had scored his first basket with Boston on an alley oop slam from Derrick White.
Ausar Thompson with the beautiful 180 spin layup in mid-air, and Mitchell Robinson is hobbling after rolling his ankle (with a replay)
Mitchell remained in the game. pic.twitter.com/QDKVJMfffl
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) October 20, 2026
Jayson Tatum helps Celtics grab lead to close first quarter vs Pistons
03:38 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
Jayson Tatum got off to a cold shooting start in this NBA opening game, but he finished the first quarter with a flourish. His leaning jumper at the buzzer gave the Celtics a 28-27 lead over the Pistons heading to the second quarter, and capped off an opening 12 minutes in which Tatum did it all. Though he's 3 for 9 from the field, Tatum still has seven points, four assists and three rebounds.
Tatum returned from a torn Achilles towards the end of last season and played admirably for Boston before it bowed out in the playoffs. But there are already signs in today's game that Tatum's play might be at a different level with a full year since the injury occurred.
Cade Cunningham dunk highlights early surge for Pistons
03:30 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The Pistons have taken a first-quarter lead over the Celtics after Cade Cunningham began to assert himself on the offensive end while his teammates locked down on defense and began controlling the glass. Cunningham scored six-straight points for Detroit, including a thunderous fastbreak dunk that got the crowd at Little Caesars Arena involved.
The sequence also featured a sweet assist to John Collins and an intriguing fadeaway jumper out of the post in which Cunningham began the possession off the ball while backcourt mate Ausar Thompson manned the point guard spot. It's a wrinkle the Pistons would like to turn to more often this season.
CADE CUNNINGHAM RISE UP. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/p4BnZeJk9r
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 20, 2026
Cade Cunningham drops the DIRTY no-look assist to John Collins!
📺 NBA Tip-Off on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/mqPPckkD36
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 20, 2026
New faces on Celtics, Pistons off to fast start
03:19 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
Both the Pistons and Celtics have altered their lineups after playoff runs a year ago, and a few of those new additions have contributed immediately. Celtics veteran Paul George, acquired in the Jaylen Brown trade, hit his first two shots with Boston, including a 3-pointer. Pistons forward John Collins, who Detroit traded for this offseason to replace Tobias Harris, is the team's leading scorer early with four points. The two teams are tied at 13 at the first timeout of the first quarter.
Celtics vs Pistons starting lineups, injury report
03:00 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The official starting lineups and final injury report for the Oct. 20 NBA season opener between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons are out. Take a look:
Starting lineups for today’s @NBA opener between the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. pic.twitter.com/JiDydvv9es
— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) October 20, 2026
Why Celtics vs Pistons will open NBA season in afternoon daytime game
02:49 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The first game of the 2026-27 NBA regular season will officially tip off in the middle of the afternoon, and NBC hopes it can become an annual addition to the league's traditional opening night schedule.
The Detroit Pistons are set to host the Boston Celtics at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with "College Gameday-style activations," a "Blue Carpet" experience, a marching band rendition of "Roundball Rock" and other special festivities planned around Little Caesars Arena and downtown Detroit throughout the day, according to NBA league officials. The afternoon tip is an experiment conceived by the NBA and NBC entering Year 2 of their massive 11-year, $27-billion media rights partnership, with the goal of turning opening night into an all-day event.
"We kind of challenged the NBA," NBC Sports Executive Vice President Justin Byczek told USA TODAY Sports. "We think opening day should be expanded, and we'd love to be the network that gets behind it, and over the course of the next decade, let's try to understand where opening day can get to."
How to watch Celtics vs Pistons: TV, live streaming for NBA opening game
02:40 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The opening game of the 2026-27 NBA regular season between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Oct. 20, will be broadcast nationally on NBC. It can also be watched via live stream on Peacock and Fubo.
What time is Celtics vs Pistons today?
02:20 PM ET, October 20 2026, Mark Giannotto
The opening game of the 2026-27 NBA regular season between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Oct. 20 is set to begin at 3 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pistons make dramatic comeback to beat Celtics in NBA season opener
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