DETROIT — While the Pistons were storming back from a 22-point deficit in Tuesday’s season opener, Jayson Tatum was largely absent from the scoresheet.

Though he dished out a game-high 11 assists, Tatum managed just 13 points in the Celtics’ 121-113 loss at Little Caesars Arena, tied for his lowest single-game output since the start of the 2024-25 season. Only two of those came after halftime: a bank-shot jumper with 2:31 remaining, after Detroit had staged a 23-0 run to take a double-digit lead.

Tatum’s final shooting line: 6-for-23, with misfires on all seven of his 3-pointers. It was the first time he had ever attempted that many field goals in an NBA game and scored so few points. He also attempted just one free throw.

“Definitely not one of my best nights,” the Celtics star said postgame. “Obviously, I just have to play better. Part of my role is scoring. I feel really good about a lot of the looks. But watching film, probably slowing down some of those moments, (I can) be better. But it’s more about just making the play — making it for myself and for my teammates.”

In an unexpected role reversal, Paul George, who said throughout training camp that his job was to support Tatum, powered the Celtics offense against Detroit, racking up 38 points while shooting 7-for-12 from three and 7-for-8 from the line.

George’s point parade helped Boston build a 72-50 lead midway through the third quarter before its offense dried up and the Pistons rallied.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum’s quiet scoring night was a case of good shots not falling. In his view, Tatum was able to find advantageous looks but failed to capitalize. He went 3-for-9 on shots in the paint.

“Give Detroit credit. They’re a great defensive team in general,” Mazzulla said. “Secondly, I don’t know if they necessarily limited him. I thought he got some really good looks. I thought he got the ball where he wanted. Catch-and-shoot, two feet in the paint, missed four or five layups. … I thought he got a lot of looks that he wanted and found the space and the decisions that he wanted. Just couldn’t execute on those.”

Tatum, who shot 47.2% from the field and made 38.9% of his threes during the preseason, agreed, saying he “felt pretty good about most of” his attempts.

“Maybe slow down when I get to the rim a little bit,” he said. “But there’s a lot of things I could learn from today and just be better for next time.”

Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff credited Ausar Thompson, Detroit’s first-team All-Defensive wing, for keeping Tatum below his usual standard.

“Ausar Thompson, it’s that simple,” Bickerstaff told reporters. “You get him in 1-on-1 situations, you’re going to be in for a long night, no matter who you are.”

This is Tatum’s first full season since his Achilles surgery in May 2025, and his first time entering a season without longtime running mate Jaylen Brown, whom Boston traded to Philadelphia for George and four draft picks.

“It just felt different,” Tatum said when asked about the injury that wiped out most of his 2025-26 campaign. “I always reflect on this time last year on where I was at, and just kind of getting back into the flow and rhythm of being part of a regular season again.”