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The 2026/27 NBA season got underway on Tuesday night as the Detroit Pistons secured a 121-113 home victory over the Boston Celtics (28-27, 30-18, 30-37, 25-39). Portuguese center Neemias Queta came off the bench to log 22 minutes, recording three points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks.
The Celtics controlled the contest for long stretches after taking the lead three minutes into the second quarter and holding onto it until the final frame. Boston was powered by Jayson Tatum, who registered 11 points and 10 assists, and especially Paul George, who finished with 38 points and five steals after racking up 31 through the first three quarters. The forward's debut—having arrived in Boston in the blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers—set a new franchise record for the most points scored in a debut game.
Boston built a lead as large as 22 points, largely due to limiting Detroit to just six points over the final eight minutes of the second quarter. Four minutes into the fourth, the cushion remained at 10 before the Pistons caught fire. Sparked by Duncan Robinson, who poured in 12 points in under three minutes and finished with 21 on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, the hosts engineered a stunning 23-0 run. Point guard Cade Cunningham impressed with 22 points, four rebounds, and eight assists, while Jalen Duren also shone with 22 points, nine rebounds, and an assist.
The Celtics mounted a late 11-2 push to cut the deficit to four points, but the Michigan side held firm down the stretch, sealing the win with free throws from Cunningham and Robinson to open the 2026/27 campaign on a high.
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