In the NBA, there are plenty of players who can light up the stat sheet on any given night. But only a select few dominate the game with the consistency and brilliance of Nikola Jokic. His impact is so inevitable that some opposing coaches, like Boston’s Joe Mazzulla, have accepted that no strategy can completely neutralize him.
Jokic delivered another masterclass at TD Garden on Sunday, putting up 20 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists—just shy of another triple-double. And yet, by his lofty standards, that was an off night.
“We didn’t talk anything about Jokic in the game plan,” Mazzulla admitted. “It’s not about him, it’s about controlling everything else that we can control.”
Mazzulla’s strategy was simple: focus on the other details. Denver thrives on precise cuts, transition leak-outs, and trips to the free-throw line. Boston’s task was to minimize those advantages.
But even with that approach, someone still had to face the impossible challenge of containing Jokic. On Sunday, that responsibility fell to 38-year-old Al Horford, who refuses to back down from any challenge—especially one as daunting as this.
“I just love to compete,” Horford said. “In my opinion, Jokic is probably the best player in our league right now. He does so much, and he’s impossible to predict. The worst part? He plays the right way.”
Horford spoke with deep respect, almost admiration, for Jokic’s ability to make the right play every time.
“Somehow, he still puts up these ridiculous stats while making winning plays,” he added. “Going against a guy like that—it’s not just me against him. Everyone has to be locked in. I thought our guys did a great job tonight.”
From the opening tip, Horford brought relentless energy. He fought for position, dove for loose balls, and ran the floor, refusing to give an inch against the reigning Finals MVP. At 38, he played 35 grueling minutes after logging 38 against the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers the previous game.
“If you just look at his stats, it doesn’t always reflect what he does for us,” Mazzulla said. “Most of his impact can’t be measured. He has an innate ability to influence the game in ways that don’t show up in the box score. He’s one of the best in the league at guarding elite players, no matter their position.”
Mazzulla praised Horford’s defensive mastery—his positioning, communication, physicality, and rebounding were elite. It was the kind of performance that earns a team’s respect.
Jaylen Brown took notice and made it a point to reward Horford’s effort by feeding him on offense. Horford responded with 19 points, dominating in the paint.
“We wanted to reward him for his work,” Brown said. “I was looking for Al early and got him a few easy ones. That last play in transition—he gets a deflection, sprints down the floor, and I see him running. I throw it back to the big fella. He’s supposed to dunk that, but hey, he’s got five kids, so we’ll let him slide.”
Horford, always quick to credit his teammates, praised Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta for their defensive contributions. Their ability to read the game and adjust helped Boston hold its ground against the Nuggets.
Horford set the tone, and while he couldn’t completely stop Jokic, he made life difficult for him—and that was enough to disrupt Denver’s rhythm.
“I think my ability to match up with Jokic gives our team another layer of versatility,” Horford said. “But tonight, I needed help. Jokic is unreal. Still, being able to handle these matchups unlocks what we can do defensively. We can switch, we can adjust, we can do whatever is necessary to win.”
That mentality—the willingness to do whatever it takes—is what makes Horford invaluable. His battle with Jokic was just another reminder of why, even at 38, he remains one of the Celtics’ most trusted warriors.