Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics player stats and box scores for Oct. 4 | NBA preseason showdown in Abu Dhabi

After months of anticipation, the NBA made its return with real action as the Denver Nuggets faced off against the Boston Celtics in the first preseason game. The two most recent NBA champions clashed in the United Arab Emirates on Friday for the first of two preseason matchups at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

The Celtics secured a 107-103 victory, overcoming reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and his revamped Nuggets, which featured the debut of new point guard Russell Westbrook.

Both teams came out with high energy, with Denver initially jumping to an 18-13 lead.

Derrick White and Jayson Tatum sparked a brief rally for the Celtics, with Tatum nailing a step-back 3-pointer to give Boston a 21-20 lead. However, after a Denver timeout, Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook responded with 3-pointers, igniting a run that allowed the Nuggets to close the quarter strong at 32-25.

Pritchard caught fire for the Celtics in the second quarter, scoring 14 points, including four triples, before halftime.

While Pritchard was on fire, Jokic demonstrated his MVP form, sinking hook shot after hook shot while also showcasing his playmaking and rebounding abilities. The Nuggets led at halftime, 63-56.

In the second half, the starters rested, and the reserves stepped up. Westbrook played a key role as a playmaker, assisting Deandre Jordan and hitting a 3-pointer that extended the score to 73-64.

Pritchard continued to showcase his shooting skills, sinking two more 3-pointers to bring the Nuggets' lead down to one at 80-79 by the end of the third quarter.

The game remained close as it approached the finish. With the score tied at 88, the Celtics went on a 10-4 run to take a 98-92 lead. The teams traded baskets, and the Nuggets narrowed the gap to one after Jahmeer Young converted a layup off a Denver steal.

JD Davison hit two free throws, and with Boston up by three with eight seconds left, the Celtics chose to foul. Young made his first free throw but was called for a lane violation while attempting to miss his second for a possible offensive rebound. Davison sealed the game with two more free throws, giving the Celtics the 107-103 victory.

Payton Pritchard led all scorers with 21 points, including six triples, along with six assists. Luke Kornet started at center for the Celtics in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, contributing six points and 11 rebounds.

Jaylen Brown recorded eight points on nine shots, while Jayson Tatum added 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday combined for 13 points for Boston.

On the Nuggets’ side, Jokic led the team with 14 points and eight rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with 12 points, while Westbrook made his preseason debut with 12 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Julian Strawther and Zeke Nnaji contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The stats and box scores from the game are listed below.

Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics player stats and box scores

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Denver Nuggets player stats and box scores

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	FGM	FGA	FG%	REB	AST	STL	BLK	3P-M	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	TO	PF
Michael Porter Jr.	14:51	12	5	8	62.5	2	0	1	0	1	3	33.3	1	2	50	1	1	3	1
Aaron Gordon	15:15	7	3	10	30	3	3	2	0	1	4	25	0	0	0	1	2	1	1
Nikola Jokić	16:42	14	5	7	71.4	8	2	2	0	0	0	0	4	5	80	3	5	1	2
Christian Braun	13:01	5	2	4	50	5	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	2	50	1	4	1	0
Jamal Murray	15:15	3	1	4	25	1	2	2	0	1	3	33.3	0	0	0	0	1	2	1
Russell Westbrook	18:32	12	3	10	30	4	8	0	0	3	6	50	3	4	75	1	3	2	2
Julian Strawther	22:37	11	4	8	50	2	2	0	1	1	3	33.3	2	2	100	0	2	0	3
Hunter Tyson	18:27	6	2	5	40	3	1	0	0	2	3	66.7	0	0	0	1	2	2	6
Vlatko Čančar	20:58	6	2	5	40	3	1	0	0	1	2	50	1	2	50	1	2	4	0
Dario Šarić	14:25	5	2	4	50	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	100	1	2	1	2
DeAndre Jordan	12:00	2	1	2	50	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1	1
Spencer Jones	4:27	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jalen Pickett	15:04	3	1	4	25	1	1	0	0	1	2	50	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Trey Alexander	15:10	3	1	5	20	4	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	50	1	3	1	2
Zeke Nnaji	12:00	10	4	7	57.1	6	0	0	0	1	2	50	1	2	50	1	5	1	1
Jahmir Young	7:45	4	1	1	100	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	50	0	0	1	2
PJ Hall	3:28	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Gabe McGlothan	0:03	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

Boston Celtics player stats and box scores

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	FGM	FGA	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P-M	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	TO	PF
Jaylen Brown	19:04	8	3	9	2	2	1	1	33.3	1	5	20	1	2	50	1	1	2	3
Jayson Tatum	19:04	12	4	11	6	5	0	0	36.4	3	7	42.9	1	2	50	3	3	2	1
Luke Kornet	21:10	6	3	5	11	3	1	0	60	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	7	1	1
Derrick White	19:04	9	3	9	1	0	2	1	33.3	1	4	25	2	2	100	0	1	3	2
Jrue Holiday	12:00	4	2	7	1	0	0	0	28.6	0	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Xavier Tillman	14:50	6	2	5	3	1	2	1	40	2	3	66.7	0	0	0	1	2	1	3
Payton Pritchard	0:00	21	6	13	4	6	0	0	46.2	6	12	50	3	4	75	1	3	3	1
Jordan Walsh	0:40	9	3	7	4	4	0	3	42.9	2	6	33.3	1	2	50	3	1	0	3
Sam Hauser	16:56	7	2	8	1	3	2	0	25	2	8	25	1	1	100	0	1	0	0
Jaden Springer	11:45	0	0	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2
Neemias Queta	12:55	6	3	3	3	0	0	1	100	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	2	3
Drew Peterson	12:00	10	4	9	3	0	1	0	44.4	2	5	40	0	0	0	1	2	1	1
JD Davison	12:00	7	1	3	2	1	2	1	33.3	1	3	33.3	4	4	100	0	2	0	2
Baylor Scheierman	7:44	0	0	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1
Lonnie Walker IV	4:16	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Anton Watson	4:16	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Dmytro Skapintsev	4:10	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	100	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ron Harper Jr.	0:06	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0