Pistons utilize strong defense to limit Jayson Tatum in win over Celtics
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 20, 2026, 11:30 PM
Last updated Oct 20, 2026
The Detroit Pistons opened their season with a 121-113 comeback victory against the Boston Celtics on October 20, 2026. Trailing by 22 points, the Pistons surged back with a 23-0 run, led by Ausar Thompson's defensive efforts against Jayson Tatum, who finished with 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting. Bickerstaff highlighted Thompson's role in making Tatum's performance difficult. The win marks a strong start for Detroit against a top Eastern Conference team.
- •Pistons trailed by as many as 22 points during the game.
- •Ausar Thompson contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
- •Tatum struggled significantly, missing all seven three-point attempts.
- •Detroit's strong defensive strategy was pivotal in the comeback.
- •The game was part of the 2026-2027 NBA season opener.
- 11:30 PMYahoo Sports — J.B. Bickerstaff Had Simple Answer When Asked How Pistons Stopped Celtics' Jayson Tatum
"J.B. Bickerstaff didn't need a lengthy explanation for how Detroit slowed down Jayson Tatum. The Pistons coach credited one young defender after a historic comeback win.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NBA•Oct 21, 2026, 12:40 AMNBA fans blast Celtics’ Jayson Tatum for disastrous first game vs. Pistons
NBA•Oct 21, 2026, 12:14 AMPaul George sets new Celtics record in season-opening loss vs. Pistons
NBA•Oct 21, 2026, 12:10 AMBickerstaff Gives the Pistons Crowd Credit for the Comeback
NBA•Oct 21, 2026, 12:08 AMJayson Tatum vows to do better after Celtics meltdown vs. Pistons- NBA•Oct 21, 2026, 12:07 AMCeltics' Joe Mazzulla gives important Mitchell Robinson injury update amid loss vs. Pistons
NBA•Oct 21, 2026, 12:01 AMNick Nurse reveals what 76ers are lacking to get on ‘same level’ as Knicks
