The Denver Nuggets shut down the Boston Celtics with a commanding 103-84 victory, improving their season record to 37-22. Nikola Jokic led the way, scoring 30 points along with 12 rebounds and six assists, while Boston struggled throughout the game, shooting just 34.9% from the field.
Unusual Post-Game Press Conference with Tim Hardaway Jr.
After the game, Tim Hardaway Jr. was involved in an unexpectedly brief press conference attended only by one reporter, Rachel Strand of ClutchPoints. The moment quickly caught attention when Hardaway Jr. glanced around asking, “Is anyone back there?” and then decided to wrap things up almost immediately.
Alright, you all have a great evening. All good? All good? Perfect,
Hardaway Jr. said as he stood to leave the room.
Strand, the sole journalist present, explained that most reporters were in the locker room. She added on social media,
No it’s alright. I think everybody was in the locker room,
Strand commented.
Tim Hardaway Jr’s press conference was 20 seconds long, and I wasn’t gonna hold him up 😂 (the good question askers were in the locker room btw) #MileHighBasketball,
she later wrote, sharing a humorous take on the brief session.
Team Contributions Beyond Hardaway Jr.’s Press Appearance
Despite the short press interaction, Hardaway Jr. played a valuable role coming off the bench, scoring 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, making him Denver’s second top scorer after Jokic. Additional contributions included Julian Strawther with 12 points and Cameron Johnson adding 11.
Defensively, the Nuggets dominated by grabbing 54 rebounds compared to Boston’s 48, with 14 of those being offensive boards. Denver also limited the Celtics to just 36 points in the second half and outperformed Boston in paint scoring 42 to 28. The Nuggets forced 17 deflections versus Boston’s 11, contributing heavily to Boston’s low scoring night.
Celtics Struggle in Absence of Key Player
Boston’s leading scorers included Jaylen Brown, who battled hard to achieve 23 points on 21 attempts. Derrick White added 20 points and six rebounds, and Neemias Queta reached double digits with 10 points. Notably, Jayson Tatum was sidelined, which affected Boston’s offensive capabilities significantly during the contest.
Implications of the Game and Press Conference Moment
The Nuggets’ victory over the Celtics underscores their continued strength this season, particularly their defensive resilience and effective bench scoring. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s ultra-brief press conference, while surprising, highlighted the unusual media dynamics post-game, suggesting that most detailed discussions occurred in the locker room. Moving forward, Denver looks poised to build on this win, with their core contributors—including Jokic and Hardaway Jr.—maintaining steady performances.
Tim Hardaway Jr's press conference was 20 seconds long, and I wasn't gonna hold him up 😂 (the good question askers were in the locker room btw) #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/gP4PxnOI8r
— Rachel Strand (@MileHighRachel) February 26, 2026
