The Boston Celtics, who had the best record in the NBA, were defeated by the Denver Nuggets twice this season, making them the only club to accomplish it. The score was 115-109.

Jrue Holiday helped defend Nikola Jokic, while Kristaps Porzingis and Porzingis did everything they could to keep Boston in the game with their clutch shooting. The Celtics tried their best to limit him in those final minutes of the game, but Jayson Tatum made it possible for Jokic and Aaron Gordon’s connection to flourish. Gordon was able to receive lobs and clean up at the hoop because to his ability to break loose on the weak side of the baseline.

With 41 points and 14 rebounds, Jaylen Brown led the Boston offence, but his seven missed free throws might have been the game’s biggest difference-maker coupled with the Celtics’ turnovers. All of the Celtics, excluding Jayson Tatum, possessed a reliable offensive weapon in the clutch.

Aside from some of his assistance in the paint, Brown felt that he should have accepted the Jokic assignment because of his vocal and developed leadership this season.

“Jokic is just a monster down there,” said the All-NBA forward. “We threw some different coverages at him; we guarded him one-on-one; we tried to have late help; and stuff like that.”

The two-time MVP had another monster triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.

“I felt like I should have guarded Jokic a little bit—a little more,” Brown said. “I wish I would have had those opportunities a little bit. I could keep him away from the basket, and we could have took away some of those layups they got. But I feel like we still had every chance to win this game; we just came up short.”

In the rare occasions this season when things have gone wrong for Boston, Brown’s development as the team’s emotional leader and leader has been crucial.

On Saturday night, the Celtics will travel to Phoenix to play the Suns in an 8:30 p.m. ABC primetime game.