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Harris scores 25, Brown misses potential game-winner and Pistons hold off Celtics for 104-103 win

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Harris scores 25, Brown misses potential game-winner and Pistons hold off Celtics for 104-103 win
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Harris scores 25, Brown misses potential game-winner and Pistons hold off Celtics for 104-103 win

2026-01-20 11:55 Last Updated At:12:00

DETROIT (AP) — Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Jaylen Brown missed a jumper just before the buzzer, allowing the Detroit Pistons to hold on for a 104-103 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday night in a matchup of teams with the best records in the Eastern Conference.

Jalen Duren scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Cade Cunningham had 16 points and 14 assists and Duncan Robinson added 15 points for the Central Division-leading Pistons (31-10).

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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla applauds his team during a timeout against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla applauds his team during a timeout against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) knocks the ball away from Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) knocks the ball away from Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, right, complains to referee Jacyn Goble during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, right, complains to referee Jacyn Goble during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Brown had 32 points on 11-of-28 shooting for the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics (26-16).

Cunningham and Brown were named All-Star starters for the first time earlier Monday. Cunningham ranked first in votes by players, and Brown had the most votes from the media.

Detroit started the fourth quarter ahead 84-82 after 11 ties and five lead changes and the final 12 minutes were also closely contested.

Robinson’s fifth 3-pointer gave the Pistons a five-point lead midway through the fourth.

Brown made a go-ahead shot with 3:20 left to play and Harris responded with a 3-pointer to put the Pistons ahead 99-97.

Brown missed two free throws with 1:58 to go, down by two, and made a runner with 45 seconds left to pull within a point.

Cunningham missed a jumper with five seconds left and Boston had the ball with 4.4 seconds left with a chance to at least extend the game and Brown could not take advantage on a shot from the right wing.

Boston's Payton Pritchard scored 17, Sam Hauser had 16 points and Luka Garza overcame getting called for four fouls in three minutes to add 10 points.

Celtics: Host Indiana on Wednesday.

Pistons: At New Orleans on Wednesday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla applauds his team during a timeout against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla applauds his team during a timeout against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) knocks the ball away from Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) knocks the ball away from Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, right, complains to referee Jacyn Goble during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, right, complains to referee Jacyn Goble during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Andrew Wiggins, with that infectious smile that left a lasting mark on Warriors teammates, coaches and fans, stood near the Golden State bench long before tipoff waiting for a moment to catch up with old pal Stephen Curry.

Curry took a quick break from his routine and they chatted and hugged before each got back to work. Wiggins returned to Chase Center with the Miami Heat on Monday night just shy of a year since the Warriors traded him to acquire Jimmy Butler.

“He's the best,” Curry said before heading out for his pregame warmup.

Wiggins received a warm ovation during pregame introductions, waving, clapping and putting his hand to his heart. A video tribute played on the big screen.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr knew it would stir up emotions to see Wiggins again, given how much he meant to the franchise in 5 1/2 seasons that included his contributions to the team's 2022 title.

“Wiggs is just such a great human being and beloved in our locker room. Had so much success here and helped us turn things around from that two-year stretch when we didn’t make the playoffs,” Kerr said. “He was just a joy to coach every single day. When you get a guy like that on your team and you go through a lot together, both on and off the court, then you make a trade, it’s just like that. It’s just crazy, this league, how this business operates. You have to just deal with it but it is sad when your relationships like that are all of a sudden — I mean you still have a relationship but you don’t see each other.”

Also Monday, Butler returned to play against his former team after sitting out Saturday's 136-116 win over Charlotte for personal reasons.

Wiggins is averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in his first full season with Miami.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra could appreciate how meaningful Wiggins' return was for both sides.

“We know it’s important to him, he had some great moments here, particularly during that championship run,” Spoelstra said. “And he’ll be received great, as he should, here in this building. We’re just grateful that we have him. He’s been doing so much for us on both ends of the court. I think as a complete game and all the responsibilities, you can make a case that this is the best that he’s played in his career, because of all those responsibilities he has for us.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kris Weems, left, talks with Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins before an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kris Weems, left, talks with Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins before an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, foreground middle, hugs Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins before an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, foreground middle, hugs Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins before an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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