The Boston Celtics faced a tough challenge against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, ultimately falling short in a 115-109 defeat. This marks the Celtics’ first back-to-back losses since November, as they now sit at 0-2 on their current road trip.
The game unfolded in a playoff-like atmosphere from the beginning, with both teams determined to avoid a second consecutive loss after tough defeats on Tuesday night. Denver took control early on, maintaining the lead for the majority of the contest, leaving the Celtics with limited opportunities to seize control.
The star of the night for Boston was Jaylen Brown, who put on an impressive performance with a season-high 41 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. However, his outstanding efforts weren’t enough to secure the victory, as the Celtics faced challenges from Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who dominated with 32 points, 11 assists, and 12 rebounds.
Despite Brown’s stellar night, the Celtics struggled at the free-throw line, shooting just 16-25 as a team. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 24 points but faced difficulties containing Jokic defensively, while Jayson Tatum had a quieter night with 15 points and 8 assists.
Celtics’ Late-Game Struggles Against Nuggets
The Celtics found themselves trailing throughout the game, facing a 2-point deficit after the first quarter, an 8-point margin at halftime, and a 10-point gap entering the final period. Despite numerous opportunities in the fourth quarter to reduce the deficit, the team couldn’t overcome the Nuggets.
Late in the game, Jrue Holiday’s back-to-back three-pointers cut the lead to two with a minute remaining, providing a glimmer of hope for the Celtics. However, a missed three-pointer from Tatum and a crucial alley-oop from Jokic to Gordon secured the win for the Nuggets.
The game was not without its emotional moments, as four technical fouls were issued, including ones on Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. Despite the loss, Celtics’ assistant coach Joe Mazzulla expressed confidence in the team’s performance and highlighted Tatum’s late-game decision-making.
With the road trip now at 0-2, the Celtics look to bounce back on Saturday night in Phoenix, aiming to return to the win column against a formidable opponent.
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