Celtics: Jayson Tatum Vows to Play Better After Pistons Loss

Jayson Tatum vows to play better after the Boston Celtics blew a 22-point lead and lost their season opener 121-113 to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena. Tatum scored only 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting in the Boston Celtics loss, then told reporters the Boston Celtics needed more from him as a scorer.





Tatum took the blame himself after the Celtics let a 22-point lead slip away


Jayson Tatum did not hide behind the Detroit Pistons comeback or the Boston Celtics' fourth-quarter collapse. Speaking after the game via CLNS Media, Tatum said his shot felt good but his performance did not match it.


"Definitely not one of my best nights," Tatum said. "I just have to play better. Part of my role is scoring. So, I felt really good about a lot of those looks. But, watching film, probably slowing down a little in some of those moments to be better."


Tatum finished with 13 points, 11 assists and four rebounds in nearly 38 minutes for the Boston Celtics. The Detroit Pistons held Tatum to two points in the second half, and Tatum missed all seven of his three-point attempts in the game.




How the Pistons stopped Jayson Tatum started with Ausar Thompson


Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gave a short answer when he was asked how the Detroit Pistons made life difficult for Jayson Tatum. Bickerstaff pointed to one player, not a scheme.


"Ausar Thompson. That simple," Bickerstaff said. "You get him in 1-on-1 situations you gonna be in for a long night no matter who you are."


Ausar Thompson finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Detroit Pistons while spending long stretches guarding Jayson Tatum. Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla pointed to a different problem, saying some of Boston's empty offensive possessions led to Detroit transition chances, per reports.


MORE: Celtics vs Pistons Final Score: Pistons 121, Celtics 113 in Collapse



Paul George gave the Celtics a record debut that Tatum could not match


Paul George carried the Boston Celtics offense while Jayson Tatum struggled against the Detroit Pistons. George scored 38 points in his Boston Celtics debut, a franchise record for a debut, and made seven three-pointers in 31 minutes.


Derrick White and Payton Pritchard scored 17 points apiece for the Boston Celtics. For the Detroit Pistons, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 22 points apiece, Duncan Robinson scored 21 points, and Javonte Green scored 19 points off the bench.


Detroit used a 23-0 run in the fourth quarter to turn a Boston Celtics lead into a Detroit Pistons win. The 22-point comeback was the largest opening-day comeback for an NBA team in the play-by-play era, according to NBA Communications.




What is next for Tatum and the Celtics after the Pistons loss?


Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics get their next chance quickly in the Celtics home opener vs Knicks on Friday night at TD Garden. The New York Knicks visit Boston on Friday, October 23, and the Boston Celtics will try to avoid an 0-2 start to the 2026-27 season.


Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics will watch film of the Detroit Pistons loss before the New York Knicks game. Tatum said slowing down in key moments is one fix, and the Boston Celtics also need cleaner offensive possessions so opponents cannot run off missed shots.


Frequently asked questions about Jayson Tatum and the Celtics


How many points did Jayson Tatum score against the Pistons?

Jayson Tatum scored 13 points against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Tatum shot 6-of-23 from the field, missed all seven three-point attempts, and added 11 assists and four rebounds.


Who guarded Jayson Tatum for the Pistons?

Ausar Thompson guarded Jayson Tatum for long stretches for the Detroit Pistons. Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff credited Thompson's one-on-one defense for making Tatum's night difficult.


When is the Boston Celtics' next game?

The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks on Friday, October 23 at TD Garden. The game is Boston's home opener after the 121-113 loss at the Detroit Pistons.


More Celtics


Sources:

https://nesn.com/boston-celtics/news/celtics-jayson-tatum-addresses-poor-performance-vs-pistons-play-better/29db50ed2e96bbe03f9cc4ef

https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/pistons-use-23-0-burst-rally-past-celtics-opener--flm-2026-10-20/

https://celticswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2026/10/20/celtics-star-jayson-tatum-vows-to-be-better-after-meltdown-vs-pistons/92352571007/

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