Celtics' Jayson Tatum starts season with quiet 13-point performance

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Celtics' Jayson Tatum starts 2026-27 NBA season with quiet 13-point performance vs. Pistons

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 20, 2026 7:37 PM ET

After trading guard Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, the Boston Celtics want forward Jayson Tatum to cement himself as a clear No. 1.

He didn't look ready to assume that role in Boston's 121-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons in the Celtics season opener on Tuesday.

Jayson Tatum underwhelmed vs. Pistons

In 38 minutes, Tatum recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists, but he went 6-of-23 from the field and 0-of-7 from three-point range. He disappeared in the second half, scoring two points.

Surprisingly, forward Paul George, whom the Celtics acquired in the Brown trade, carried their offense, scoring a game-high 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the field. He went 7-of-12 from three-point range.

If you blame first-game jitters, look at Tatum's previous stats in season openers. Per StatMuse, he scored 34 points or more in his last three.

Tatum last three season openers:

37 PTS | 4 REB | 10 AST
34 PTS | 11 REB | 4 AST
35 PTS | 12 REB | 4 AST

Only 39% of fans on @Novig think he'll score 30+ points today. pic.twitter.com/tQf7zH3OOa
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 20, 2026

Tatum missed most of the 2025-26 season because of a right Achilles tendon tear. Despite returning in March 2026, the injury may still be affecting the six-time All-Star, reducing his explosiveness, which he needs to create space for his jump shot.

That becomes even harder when squaring off against an elite defender like Detroit forward Ausar Thompson, who earned a first-team All-Defensive nod last season.

"Ausar Thompson. That simple," Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said when asked how Detroit stopped Tatum. "You get him in 1-on-1 situations, you gonna be in for a long night no matter who you are."

Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff on what his team did to slow down Jayson Tatum, who was held to only 13 points on 6-of-23 shooting:

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

(via @IAmEricVincent) pic.twitter.com/Hmq1UfW6mQ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 20, 2026

Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla, meanwhile, showed little concern about Tatum's quiet night.

"I don't think we've seen the best version of him yet," Mazzulla said.

Joe Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum:

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best version of him yet.”
-@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/QPEwXOZx43
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) October 20, 2026

That version of Tatum must emerge soon for the Celtics. They're counting on him to keep the team in championship contention now that his longtime sidekick is gone.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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