Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets Player Stats and Box Score for Jan. 7 | 2024-25 NBA Season

The Boston Celtics visited the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night for the final destination of their four-game road trip. The Celtics won two of the first three, losing to the OKC Thunder on Sunday. The Nuggets, on the other hand, were starting a three-game homestand.

Denver was at a disadvantage for the game after Nikola Jokic was ruled out before tip-off due to an unspecified illness. Jokic has been fantastic for the Nuggets this season, with the team looking bad every time he's off the floor. Dario Saric was inserted into the starting lineup in place of the three-time NBA MVP.

After the Celtics dominated the first quarter, the Nuggets came roaring back in the second and the game was tied at the half. It was a close game until midway through the fourth quarter when the defending champs took over and took the 118-106 win.

Jayson Tatum finished with 29 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Kristaps Porzingis had 25 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Russell Westbrook was huge for the Nuggets with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Jamal Murray and Julian Strawther each scored 19 points, while Michael Porter Jr. contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds.

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Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets Player Stats and Box Score

Celtics

Players	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	+/-
Jayson Tatum	29	4	6	1	2	2	2	37	11-23	1-9	6-6	23
Al Horford	9	7	0	4	0	1	1	34	3-5	3-5	0-0	15
Kristaps Porzingis	25	11	3	2	1	1	1	34	9-18	1-3	6-8	14
Jrue Holiday	19	3	7	2	1	0	1	31	6-12	3-7	4-4	10
Jaylen Brown	14	8	8	0	0	4	3	38	6-13	0-1	2-2	5
Sam Hauser	9	2	1	0	1	1	1	18	3-5	3-5	0-0	0
Luke Kornet	2	3	1	0	2	0	2	17	1-1	0-0	0-0	5
Neemias Queta	8	0	0	1	0	0	1	8	4-5	0-0	0-0	-10
Payton Pritchard	3	3	4	1	0	2	0	20	1-6	1-5	0-0	-4
Jaden Springer	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	2
Xavier Tillman	DNP
Derrick White	DNP
Jordan Walsh	DNP

Nuggets

Players	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	+/-
Dario Saric	0	1	4	0	1	1	1	17	0-2	0-1	0-0	-7
Michael Porter Jr.	15	10	3	0	0	1	1	36	5-13	2-7	3-4	-16
Russell Westbrook	26	9	6	1	1	8	2	33	9-18	4-9	4-5	-10
Jamal Murray	19	4	4	2	0	1	3	39	8-17	1-5	2-2	-3
Christian Braun	12	4	2	1	0	2	3	29	5-10	2-5	0-0	-11
Zeke Nnaji	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0-2	0-0	0-0	-8
Peyton Watson	14	4	0	1	4	1	3	34	5-9	2-3	2-2	-3
DeAndre Jordan	1	5	1	0	0	1	2	20	0-1	0-0	1-2	1
Julian Strawther	19	2	2	1	0	1	2	27	8-15	3-6	0-0	-3
Hunter Tyson	DNP
Jalen Pickett	DNP
Trey Alexander	DNP

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Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets Game Summary

The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets traded baskets in the first six minutes of the first quarter with seven lead changes. The defending champions began finding their stride on both ends of the floor, going on a run to build a 37-25 lead at the end of the first 12 minutes.

Kristaps Porzingis took advantage of Jokic's absence, scoring 15 points in the first quarter. Jayson Tatum was also aggressive in attacking the basket, putting up 11 points, two rebounds and three assists.

In the second quarter, the Celtics appeared headed to a blowout win. They went up as much as 15 points, but the Nuggets were not going down easily. Jamal Murray had a huge period, going on a personal run midway through the period.

At the end of the half, the game was tied at 57. Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther also provided sparks off the bench, scoring 10 points each in the first half.

The third quarter started just like in the first as both the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets go back-and-forth. It was a close game until a late run by the defending champions gave them an 88-83 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Denver wasn't going to quit, forcing a tie at 93 led by Christian Braun's burst of offense. However, the Celtics took control of the game from that point on after going on a 15-0 run to put the Nikola Jokic-less Nuggets to bed.

The Celtics go back home after going 3-1 on their road trip, welcoming the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans next. The Nuggets, on the other hand, continue their homestand against the LA Clippers and Brooklyn Nets.