The Celtics almost let another 20-point lead slip away, but this time, they didn’t fold. After blowing a big lead to the Cavaliers on Friday, Boston made sure history didn’t repeat itself, grinding out a 110-103 win over the Nuggets on Sunday afternoon. Jaylen Brown set the tone, dropping 22 points while dishing out eight assists and pulling down five boards. Al Horford came through in the clutch, not just with his 19 points and eight rebounds, but with three huge steals that kept Denver from flipping the script.

Horford sealed the Celtics’ 110-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday with a transition bucket, capping off a strong all-around performance. While his contribution was crucial, teammate Brown couldn’t help but joke about how Horford finished the play.

After the game a reporter asked the 4x All-Star if he could tell before or during the game when Al Horford was locked in and poised for a strong performance.

“Um, you know, you can’t always tell,” Brown admitted. “But when, when he’s there, you know, when you, you know, when it’s there, you know.”. Horford played a key role in defending Nikola Jokic and battling on the boards, something Brown and the team took notice of.

“So tonight, you know, big-time matchup, uh, on Jokic, for a large part of the game, you know, fighting him, battling him on the boards, we want to reward him for his work,” Brown said.

The Finals MVP made it a point to find Horford offensively, leading to his late transition bucket.

“So, just, I was looking for Al early, was able to connect to him a few times and had that, that final one in transition where he gets to tip on a, uh, gets hand, gets a deflection, sprints in transition. I see him running, throw it back to the big fella.”

Then, Brown jokingly called out Horford for not throwing down a dunk.

“He’s supposed to dunk that, but you know, he got five kids, so we let him slide.” This comes in after Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics’ head coach praised Horford’s focus, his ability to lock in when needed and get them across the line.

“You don’t have to talk to him,” Mazzulla said when asked if he had to tell Horford to take on a bigger role.

Horford logged 35 minutes—just the third time all season—and once again proved his value as a defensive anchor. Mazzulla emphasized how Horford’s intelligence, size, and positioning allow the Celtics to handle elite scorers without over-committing help.

“He’s one of the best players in the league at guarding other best players in the league, no matter the position that they have,” Mazzulla said. “Most of what he does can’t be measured, but he has the innate ability to impact the game in so many different ways.”

Beyond his defensive presence, Mazzulla highlighted Horford’s leadership and intensity.

“He helps us in our own locker room because of his competitiveness,” Mazzulla said. “I think some people mistake his kindness for a weakness at times, but he’s one of the most competitive people I know.”

Horford’s ability to guard multiple positions, communicate in pick-and-roll situations, and maintain a strong presence in the paint makes him invaluable as Boston continues its championship push.

He couldn’t do it alone though, Brown’s leadership was required.

Jaylen Brown takes charge, leads the Celtics to victory

After Friday’s brutal collapse against Cleveland—where they blew a 22-point lead—Boston had no time to sulk. Jokic and the Nuggets were in town, and the Celtics needed a response.

Jaylen Brown, who takes pride in his leadership, made sure the team came out with the right mindset. “We just had to come out and try to get off to a good start in the first quarter, and kind of set the tone on defense,” Brown said. “I just talk us through it. ‘If we miss shots, don’t hang your head next possession. Play with urgency.’”

That urgency was missing against the Cavs. Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 83 points—more than they ever have together—but Boston’s bench managed just six. This time, the second unit stepped up, adding 28 points while Brown and Tatum dished out 15 assists.

Brown didn’t sugarcoat the struggles, but stressed his role in keeping the team focused. “Just being vocal throughout the season,” he said. “Guys are in and out the lineup or whatever the case may be. Whoever we got, we just have to do our job, be ready to go, and be together. I think that’s half the battle.”

Boston now gears up for a home matchup with Portland on Wednesday before facing Philadelphia and the Lakers. If Sunday proved anything, it’s that when the Celtics lock in, they’re tough to beat.