A 22‑point lead evaporated as Boston fell 121‑113, prompting Bill Simmons to label the opening night a ‘terrible’ performance.
Key points
- Boston squandered a 22‑point lead and lost 121‑113 to Detroit in the season opener.
- Bill Simmons highlighted Jayson Tatum’s poor shooting (6‑for‑23) and described his play as “terrible” for the night.
- The trade of Jaylen Brown has increased pressure on Tatum, and Simmons warned that the Celtics may face growing pains as they adjust to a new offensive hierarchy.
The Boston Celtics entered their season opener with a 22‑point advantage over the Detroit Pistons early in the third quarter, but Detroit surged back, outscoring Boston 71‑41 for the remainder of the game and completing a 23‑0 run in the fourth to win 121‑113, according to Boston.com.
On his podcast, Bill Simmons said the optics of the second‑half collapse were “not flattering,” singling out Jayson Tatum’s performance: Tatum shot 6‑for‑23 from the field, scored 13 points in 38 minutes, and appeared to panic in the fourth quarter, taking only one free‑throw attempt.
Game recap
Simmons linked the disappointing showing to the offseason trade of Jaylen Brown, noting that the Celtics now rely heavily on Tatum and that the loss highlighted “a different level of pressure” on the star forward without a proven secondary scorer.
He also criticized head coach Joe Mazzulla’s rotating lineups, describing the coaching approach as “like it was a hockey game,” and expressed uncertainty about the consistency of role players such as Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and the team’s depth in rebounding and three‑point shooting.
Simmons’ criticism of Tatum
While acknowledging that a single game should not dictate the season’s trajectory, Simmons said the online chatter after the loss was “teasing” him about Tatum’s night, underscoring how the trade of Brown removed a “security blanket” for the Celtics.
Reader questions
What was the final score of the Celtics’ season‑opening game?
The Boston Celtics lost to the Detroit Pistons 121‑113 after leading by 22 points early in the third quarter.
How did Jayson Tatum perform in the game?
Tatum scored 13 points on 6‑for‑23 shooting and went to the free‑throw line only once, which Bill Simmons described as a “terrible” night.
What did Bill Simmons say about the Celtics’ future after the loss?
Simmons said the trade of Jaylen Brown puts extra pressure on Tatum, questioned the consistency of the team’s depth, and warned that the Celtics may experience growing pains as they adapt to a new offensive structure.
Source: boston.com
