Nuggets Overcome Celtics in Dominant Performance

Denver, CO – The Denver Nuggets defeated the Boston Celtics 103-84 on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in a game marked by Nikola Jokić’s determination and a strong defensive effort from the Nuggets. The win keeps Denver firmly in the hunt for a top-three seed in the Western Conference.

Jokić’s Resilience Fuels Nuggets’ Success

Despite a rough shooting night, Nikola Jokić delivered a stellar performance, scoring 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He shot 11 of 28 from the field and 4 of 13 from beyond the arc, but his impact extended beyond the box score, sparking an 11-0 run to close out the third quarter.

ESPN – “Nikola Jokic had 30 points and 12 rebounds on a rough shooting night to support the Denver Nuggets beat the Boston Celtics 103-84 on Wednesday.”

The Nuggets extended their lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately securing a comfortable victory.

Celtics Struggle on Western Conference Road Trip

The Celtics, who finished their Western Conference trip with a 3-1 record, were led by Jaylen Brown with 23 points. Derrick White added 20 points, scoring 18 in the second quarter. However, Boston struggled to identify consistent offense, shooting 35% from the field.

Boston had won five straight and nine of their last ten games before facing the Nuggets.

Murray’s Illness Impacts Nuggets Rotation

The Nuggets played most of the game without guard Jamal Murray, who left after just over seven minutes due to an illness. Coach David Adelman revealed Murray was playing with medication but was unable to continue.

boston.com – “Denver played most of the game without guard Jamal Murray. He left after logging 7:51 due to an illness and did not return.”

Tim Hardaway Jr. Stepped up, contributing 14 points off the bench.

Defensive Intensity Key to Nuggets’ Victory

The Nuggets’ victory was also fueled by a season-best defensive effort, holding the Celtics to just 84 points – the fewest they have allowed all season. Denver outscored Boston 42-28 in the paint and 23-9 on second-chance points.

denverpost.com – “And when that happens, it’s a point of pride…The Nuggets know they can score. They’re not known for their rock fights.”

Looking Ahead

The Nuggets (37-22) will next face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. The Celtics (38-20) will return home to host the Brooklyn Nets.

FAQ

• Who was the leading scorer for the Nuggets? Nikola Jokić with 30 points.
• Who was the leading scorer for the Celtics? Jaylen Brown with 23 points.
• What was the final score? Nuggets 103, Celtics 84.
• Why did Jamal Murray not finish the game? He left due to an illness.