The Boston Celtics continued their scorching start to the season with a 130-120 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, led by standout performances from Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.
Brown’s all-around game shone brightly, as he delivered 28 points and nine assists, while Porzingis added 26 points, nine rebounds, and a clutch presence on both ends of the floor.
Boston wasted no time asserting dominance, opening the game on a 12-0 run and racing to an 18-4 lead within the first four minutes. Their quick start set the tone, and by the second quarter, the Celtics had built a commanding 20-point advantage. Despite the absence of Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday due to injuries, Boston’s depth and firepower proved too much for Detroit for most of the game.
Derrick White played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Celtics’ offense, recording a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Payton Pritchard provided a crucial spark off the bench, dropping 19 points, including a dagger 3-pointer in the final minute to seal the win after Detroit had threatened to stage a late comeback.
The Pistons, who have struggled to find consistency this season, showed resilience in the fourth quarter. Cade Cunningham delivered an impressive performance with 27 points, 14 assists, and nine rebounds, falling just shy of a triple-double. Tobias Harris matched Cunningham with 27 points of his own, while Malik Beasley came off the bench to contribute 23 points, including several timely 3-pointers.
Detroit’s long-range shooting brought them back into contention late in the game. They made a season-high 20 3-pointers on 39 attempts, with critical triples from Beasley and Marcus Sasser during a fourth-quarter surge. This run cut Boston’s once-comfortable lead to just five points in the final minute before Pritchard’s heroics closed the door.
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Boston coach Joe Mazzulla was forced to reinsert Brown late in the fourth quarter after Detroit’s hot shooting narrowed the gap to single digits. Brown’s calming presence, combined with Porzingis’ steady contributions, helped the Celtics fend off the Pistons’ late charge.
A key moment came with just under four minutes remaining when Porzingis drew a foul on a strong drive to the basket. After landing in the stands, he energized the TD Garden crowd with a celebratory gesture before sinking both free throws to push Boston’s lead back to 14.
Sam Hauser also delivered a breakout performance for the Celtics, making his second start of the season. Hauser poured in 20 points, including 14 in the third quarter, and knocked down five of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc. His sharpshooting gave Boston an added dimension in Tatum’s absence and underscored the team’s depth.
Despite the Pistons’ late rally, the Celtics’ ability to execute in crunch time highlighted their status as one of the NBA’s most formidable teams. Even without two of their stars, Boston showcased a balanced attack and the ability to adapt to challenging moments.
Detroit’s loss extended their struggles, but Cunningham’s near triple-double and the team’s season-high 3-point shooting provide signs of hope. However, defensive lapses and a slow start ultimately doomed their chances against a Celtics squad firing on all cylinders.
Looking ahead, the Celtics face a marquee matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, a game that could offer an early glimpse of Eastern Conference playoff implications. The Pistons, meanwhile, travel to New York on Saturday as they aim to snap their losing skid and find some consistency.
With their ninth win in 10 games, the Celtics continue to solidify their position atop the East. Brown and Porzingis proved to be the perfect one-two punch, and Boston’s depth remains a key strength as they look to maintain their momentum.
