Throughout the season, the Boston Celtics have maintained their status as the team to ƅеаt. However, this did not deter the Denver Nuggets, who secured a 115-109 victory over the Celtics on Thursday night, marking Boston’s second defeat to the reigning champions this season. The initial loss occurred in late January, where the Green Team narrowly succumbed 102-100.

In both encounters, Celtics’ standout Jayson Tatum experienced subpar performances, shooting a combined 14 for 37 from the field and committing five turnovers in Thursday’s disappointing loss. Despite these setbacks, Tatum’s overall performance in the 2023-24 season has been remarkable, averaging 27.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the 48-14 Celtics. The matchup against the Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets was even hailed as a clasҺ between two MVP candidates.

When questioned about his standing in the MVP race post-game, Tatum downplayed the speculation, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics. He stated, “I’m not trying to make it about myself. We talk about respecting each other’s space and understanding the flow of the game.”

While Tatum struggled, fellow star Jaylen Brown shone, achieving a season-high 41 points and 14 rebounds. Tatum, seemingly content to defer to Brown and others, awaited the opportune moment to contribute. Despite having a crucial chance with 45 seconds remaining, Tatum missed a three-pointer, and Boston failed to prevent a pivotal Aaron Gordon dunk on the subsequent possession.

Nikola Jokic, already leading the Kia MVP Ladder, showcased his dominance with a triple-double, recording 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. This outstanding performance against the Celtics solidified his top position.

Looking ahead, Tatum and the Celtics aim to avoid a three-game losing streak, a challenge as they face the talented Phoenix Suns on the road on Sunday evening.