Nuggets Rally Past Celtics Behind Jokic's 30 Points

Denver overcomes slow start to pull away in second half

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:25am

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Nikola Jokic scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets rallied past the Boston Celtics 103-84 on Wednesday night. The Nuggets overcame a slow start, including an illness that sidelined Jamal Murray for most of the game, to pull away in the second half.

Why it matters

The win helps the Nuggets maintain their position in the Western Conference playoff race, while the Celtics' loss ends their four-game winning streak and 9-1 stretch. Jokic's dominant performance underscores his MVP-caliber season and the Nuggets' reliance on him to lead the team.

The details

Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with 30 points and 12 rebounds, while Tim Hardaway Jr. (14 points), Julian Strawther (12 points), and Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas (11 points each) also contributed. The Celtics were led by Jaylen Brown's 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Derrick White's 20 points, but struggled overall, shooting just 40.9% from the field and 29.2% from 3-point range.

  • Jamal Murray played the first 7:51 of the game before leaving due to an illness.
  • The Nuggets trailed by one at halftime but surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 11-0 to take a 77-67 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
  • The Nuggets stretched their lead to 17 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Celtics to sit their starters for the final 5:33 of the game.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets' star center and two-time NBA MVP, who led the team with 30 points and 12 rebounds in the win.

Jamal Murray

The Nuggets' All-Star guard, who played the first 7:51 of the game before leaving due to an illness.

Jaylen Brown

The Boston Celtics' star forward, who led the team with 23 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Derrick White

The Celtics' guard, who scored 20 points, including 18 in the second quarter to keep Boston in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This game showcased the Nuggets' reliance on Nikola Jokic to lead the team, as well as the Celtics' struggles on the road against a top Western Conference opponent. The Nuggets' ability to rally in the second half and pull away demonstrates their resilience and the depth of their roster.