George Breaks Porzingis' Record, but Celtics Open NBA Season with a Loss

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 121-113 at home in the opening game of the new season of the NBA, North America's professional basketball league. It was Detroit's first win of the season and Boston's first loss. Celtics newcomer Paul George scored 38 points, setting a new franchise record for points in a debut game, previously held by Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 30 in 2023.

How the game unfolded

The teams traded the lead several times in the first quarter, but Boston was ahead after ten minutes, as Jayson Tatum's shot in the final second restored its advantage. In the second quarter the Celtics pulled away, at one point scoring 12 unanswered points, and went into the second half leading 58-45. By halftime the 36-year-old George had 17 points and three three-pointers, moving him into eighth place on the NBA's all-time list for made three-pointers.

At the start of the third quarter Boston's lead grew to 22 points, but the Pistons cut it to six (82-88). By then George already had 31 points, a new Celtics debut record that surpassed Porzingis' 30.

In the final quarter Detroit regained the lead for the first time since the first quarter. Duncan Robinson scored nine straight points, and the team went on a 23-0 run while Boston's offense went quiet. The Celtics briefly trimmed the deficit to four points, but Detroit held on.

Top performers

For Detroit, Jalen Duren scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Cade Cunningham had 20 points and eight assists, Duncan Robinson 21 and Javonte Green 19. For Boston, Tatum made only six of 23 shots, finishing with 13 points and 11 assists, while Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each scored 17.