Jayson Tatum scored 29 points, and Kristaps Porzingis added 25 points and 11 rebounds as the Boston Celtics defeated the shorthanded Denver Nuggets 118-106 on Tuesday night. The matchup, expected to showcase two of the league's top stars, lost some of its luster with Nikola Jokic sidelined due to illness.
The Celtics leaned on interior scoring, outpacing the Nuggets 60-46 in the paint while dialing back their usual reliance on 3-pointers, attempting only 35 compared to their season average of 50.17. Jrue Holiday contributed 19 points and key defensive stops, helping Boston hold off a spirited Denver rally.
Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets with 26 points but also committed eight turnovers. Michael Porter Jr. recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson contributed 19 and 14 points off the bench, respectively, as Denver fought hard despite missing Jokic and Aaron Gordon (calf).
Denver, trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half, tied the game at 93 early in the fourth quarter after Christian Braun hit a 3-pointer shortly after an ice spill caused a brief delay. However, the Celtics responded decisively, going on a 15-0 run to regain control and seal the win.
A critical moment came late in the third quarter when Porter appeared to be fouled on a dunk attempt by Sam Hauser with Boston leading 80-77. The Celtics successfully challenged the call, maintaining their narrow lead.
The game saw 10 lead changes and eight ties but ultimately showcased Boston’s late-game composure and defensive effort, highlighted by key steals from Tatum and Al Horford. Denver dropped to 10-7 at home after going 33-8 last season, while Boston capitalized on the absence of the reigning MVP to secure the victory. Let's grade the Celtics players for their strong performances tonight.
Jayson Tatum: A-
Stats: 29 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 6 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 11-23 FG, 1-9 3PT, 6-6 FT, +23, 38 MIN
Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points, adding 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He was aggressive on both ends of the floor, contributing defensively with steals and blocks. Despite shooting just 1-for-9 from 3-point range, Tatum’s scoring and playmaking ability were key in the Celtics' late-game surge. His +23 plus-minus reflected his impact, and his leadership down the stretch helped seal the win.
Kristaps Porzingis: A-
Stats: 25 PTS, 11 REB (5 OREB, 6 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 9-18 FG, 1-3 3PT, 6-8 FT, +14, 34 MIN
Porzingis put up 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists, showcasing his all-around game. His ability to score inside and out, hitting 1-of-3 from 3-point range and 9-of-18 overall, provided crucial offensive support. He also contributed defensively with 2 steals and 1 block, helping the Celtics dominate the paint. Porzingis’ +14 plus-minus highlighted his strong performance in the victory.
Jrue Holiday: B+
Stats: 19 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 7 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 6-12 FG, 3-7 3PT, 4-4 FT, +10, 32 MIN
Holiday finished with 19 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds, playing a crucial role both offensively and defensively. His shooting (6-for-12 FG, 3-for-7 3PT) was solid, and his defensive prowess helped the Celtics hold off Denver’s rally. He also contributed a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, showing his clutch ability down the stretch. Holiday's all-around contributions made him one of the team’s key players in the win.
Jaylen Brown: B-
Stats: 14 PTS, 8 REB (0 OREB, 8 DREB), 8 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 3 PF, 6-13 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, +5, 38 MIN
Jaylen Brown recorded 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, but his performance was a bit erratic. While he contributed significantly in playmaking, he struggled with his shot (6-for-13 FG) and didn’t hit a 3-pointer (0-for-1). His 4 turnovers and lack of steals or blocks hindered his overall effectiveness, but his contributions in other areas, especially rebounding and playmaking, helped the team.
Al Horford: B-
Stats: 9 PTS, 7 REB (2 OREB, 5 DREB), 0 AST, 4 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 3-5 FG, 3-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +15, 34 MIN
Al Horford added 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, providing timely defensive plays and floor spacing with his 3-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. He also contributed 2 blocks, anchoring the defense in key moments. His shooting efficiency and defensive impact helped the Celtics hold off Denver's late-game push, although he was limited offensively at times.
Sam Hauser: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 3-5 FG, 3-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 18 MIN
Sam Hauser contributed 9 points in 18 minutes, making 3-of-5 from the 3-point line. While he shot efficiently, he had limited impact elsewhere, with only 2 rebounds and 1 assist. His defensive limitations and lack of other contributions kept him from grading higher, but his 3-point shooting was a valuable asset off the bench.
Payton Pritchard: C
Stats: 3 PTS, 3 REB (2 OREB, 1 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 1-6 FG, 1-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 20 MIN
Payton Pritchard struggled with his shot, hitting only 1-of-6 from the field and 1-of-5 from beyond the arc. Despite his shooting woes, he managed to contribute 3 rebounds and 4 assists, but his -4 plus-minus reflected his inability to make a consistent impact. His decision-making was also lacking considering how great he has been all season long, which slightly dampened his overall contribution.
Luke Kornet: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +5, 18 MIN
Luke Kornet played 18 minutes and provided 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He was efficient offensively (1-for-1 FG) but had limited impact otherwise. His size and shot-blocking were assets, but he didn’t contribute much to the team’s scoring or playmaking, as seen in his -5 plus-minus.
Neemias Queta: N/A
Stats: 8 PTS, 0 REB (0 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 4-5 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -10, 8 MIN
Neemias Queta played just 8 minutes but made the most of his time, scoring 8 points on 4-for-5 shooting. While his contribution was limited, he made efficient use of his minutes. His +2 plus-minus suggested a positive impact during his brief stint, though it was not enough for a full assessment of his role in the game.
