NBA season tips off with Pistons rallying to beat Celtics 121-113, spoiling Paul George’s debut

The NBA season opened on October 20, 2026, with the Detroit Pistons defeating the Boston Celtics 121-113 at Little Caesars Arena. Paul George, in his first game as a Celtic after being acquired from Philadelphia in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, scored 38 points — the most by a Celtic on debut — but it was not enough to secure a win. The nine-time All-Star, now in his 17th NBA season, put on an impressive individual performance despite his team's loss.