Denver’s decisive fourth-quarter surge spoiled Boston’s momentum and snapped its winning streak.
The Celtics (23-13) walked into Wednesday night riding momentum and walked out reminded that the margin between control and collapse in the NBA is razor thin.
Boston’s four-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt at TD Garden, falling 114-110 to a Nuggets (25-12) team that arrived shorthanded yet aggressive. Even without Nikola Jokic, Denver played with confidence, pace, and poise - the exact traits that ultimately decided the game in the fourth quarter.
For most of the night, this looked like a heavyweight exchange. The league’s two top offenses traded runs, answered counters, and finished the first half deadlocked at 58-58. Boston appeared ready to take command after halftime, stringing together a 12-0 run that briefly tilted the floor in its favor.
But the Celtics never delivered the knockout.
Denver absorbed the punch, steadied itself, and waited for its moment. When Boston’s execution wavered late, the Nuggets pounced, ripping off a decisive run that turned a competitive game into a frustrating lesson.
The loss doesn’t undo what the Celtics have been building, but it does underscore how quickly things can flip when discipline slips. Against playoff-caliber teams, even one prolonged lapse can be enough.
Here are five takeaways from Tuesday night’s loss:
1. One Fourth-Quarter Run Flipped It:
This game didn’t slowly slip away from the Celtics. It turned on a dime.
Boston and Denver traded punches for three quarters, but midway through the fourth, the Nuggets ripped off a decisive 14-0 run that completely changed the texture of the game. What had been a manageable back-and-forth affair suddenly became a scramble.
The Celtics showed late fight, trimming an 11-point deficit down to three in the final seconds. But Jamal Murray’s composure at the line ended any real comeback hopes.
Against a veteran team, one extended lapse is often all it takes.
Jan 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) fouls Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the second half at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images)2. Jaylen Brown, Dominant & Human:
Jaylen Brown responded exactly how stars are supposed to after an off night.
He was aggressive from the opening tip, torching an undermanned Nuggets defense for 19 first-half points and finishing with a game-high 33. As we’ve discussed many times - over the last month-plus, this level of production has become routine.
But the fourth quarter told a different story.
Brown tried to carry too much of the load himself, leading to three turnovers in the final frame and 7 overall.
It wasn’t a lack of effort or confidence. It was a reminder that even elite scorers need structure late.
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3. No Jokic, No Problem:
No Nikola Jokic. No excuses.
The Nuggets reminded everyone why they entered the night with the league’s top-rated offense.
Their pace, spacing, and decision-making put Boston under pressure early, especially as the Celtics tried to crowd Jamal Murray on drives.
Murray responded with one of his best floor-general performances of the season, finishing with 22 points and 17 assists.
Peyton Watson’s unexpected 30-point outburst didn’t hurt either.
Even when the shooting cooled, Denver kept generating quality looks, and that discipline won them the game.
A performance like this without Jokic is likely more of the exception than the rule. But an impressive night for Denver nonetheless.
Jan 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) fouls Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji (22) during the second half at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images)4. Garza Earned His Minutes:
Luka Garza continues to make a real case for consistent rotation minutes.
He provided instant offense off the bench, scoring 8 points in the first half and finishing as a team-best plus-11.
His shooting confidence has been a revelation, and his recent efficiency spike isn’t a fluke anymore.
That said, the fourth quarter highlighted the balance head coach Joe Mazzulla has to manage.
Garza struggled defensively in pick-and-roll coverage against Murray, ultimately forcing Boston to go small late.
The offense is real. The defensive ceiling still matters.
5. Offensive Rebounding Not Enough:
Boston dominated the glass, especially with Jokic sidelined.
The Celtics grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, turning them into 27 second-chance points. Neemias Queta was a force inside, setting career highs on the boards (20) and giving Boston extra possessions all night.
But none of that mattered when the shots stopped falling late. Boston shot just 34% in the fourth quarter and couldn’t cash in when it mattered most.
Margins win games, and the Nuggets owned them down the stretch.
Jan 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) reacts after getting called for a foul during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images)The Celtics will look to reset quickly as they continue their homestand Friday night against the Raptors (23-15) at TD Garden - a chance to respond the way good teams do after a loss that stings more than it scares.
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.