After using their four usual perimeter starters with Kornet and Xavier Tillman for the entire first quarter, the Celtics began the second quarter with a bench unit. Jaden Springer and Jordan Walsh were both in the lineup, suggesting they could have an early leg up on earning whatever opportunities exist behind Pritchard and Sam Hauser.

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (21 pts) led the way as Boston defeated Denver in a matchup of the 2 most recent championship clubs.

The NBA returned to the Persian Gulf on Friday for the third consecutive year. The preseason schedule for the 2023-24 season opened with the Boston Celtics beating the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in a matchup of the two most recent championship clubs.