The Celtics lose their second straight game after defeating the defending champs, 115-109, at Ball Arena, their first loss since November. Though a Jayson Tatum three-point attempt with forty seconds remaining gave the Celtics a chance to tie the game, Denver had a lead over them for much the whole duration of the contest.

From the start, the atmosphere was reminiscent of the playoffs, as both the Nuggets and the Celtics sought to avoid dropping two straight games following their respective losses on Tuesday night.

From the beginning, Boston’s Jaylen Brown put on a show. After finishing the first half with 22 points and 8 rebounds, Brown finished the game with a season-high 41 points (16-29 FG), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. He only made 7 of 14 shots from the free throw line, though, and the Celtics as a team only shot 16–25 from the line.

With 32 points, 11 assists, and 12 rebounds at the end of the game, Nikola Jokic of Denver controlled the game from beginning to end. Defensively, the Celtics were never able to match him.

Aaron Gordon finished with 16 points (8–15 FG) and 9 rebounds, as Kristaps Porzingis battled to stop the two-time MVP. Gordon also made several crucial plays in the closing minutes of the game. Jamal Murray made 7 of 18 shots for 19 points, but he also committed five turnovers.

With the exception of Brown, the majority of the Boston players had comparatively ineffective games. Kristaps Porzingis scored 24 points on 9-23 FG, although he missed a number of easy midrange jumpers.

Despite finishing with 15 points (5-13 FG) and 8 assists, Jayson Tatum had a quiet night. He also committed 5 turnovers.

Regarding Tatum’s play following the game, Joe Mazzulla remarked, “I thought he was just taking what the defence gave him.” “Jaylen played a fantastic game.”

Just 10 points were scored by the Celtics bench, which included 2 points from Payton Pritchard, 2 points from Al Horford, and just 7 points from Derrick White on 3 of 8 shots.

In a rare instance, the Celtics trailed the whole game: they were behind by 2 at the beginning of the game, 8 at the half, and 10 entering the final frame. They had several chances to close the gap in the fourth quarter, but they were never able to overcome the obstacle. With one minute remaining, Jrue Holiday made back-to-back three-pointers to cut the lead to two; he ended the game with 12 points.

With 50 seconds remaining, Jaylen Brown stole the ball from Jamal Murray, giving the Celtics an opportunity to grab the lead, but Jayson Tatum’s wide-open corner three was unsuccessful. Then, the Nuggets took a decisive lead thanks to an Aaron Gordon — Nikola Jokic alley-oop cut.

Four technical fouls were called throughout the passionate game, one against Jaylen Brown in the first quarter, one against Kristaps Porzingis in the second, and two against the Nuggets in the fourth.

Even though the Celtics were unable to mount a fourth-quarter comeback, Mazzulla mentioned in the postgame that he was pleased with Tatum’s performance in the closing minutes and that Boston had 13 offensive rebounds.

Mazzulla stated, “I feel good about where we’re at and what we need to work on.”

The Celtics’ road trip record now stands at 0-2 after the loss. On Saturday night in Phoenix, they will have an opportunity to get back in the win column.