Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics starting lineups and depth charts for Oct. 4 | 2024 NBA Preseason

The Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics open the NBA preseason games with a matchup in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Denver and Boston, which had two close games last season, will use the showdown to finetune their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign. League insiders consider the two teams legitimate championship contenders.

Nuggets coach Mike Malone indicated during the team’s training camp that he could give his starters a limited run. Celtics counterpart Joe Mazzulla is expected to do the same.

Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics: Injury Report

Denver Nuggets injury report

Peyton Watson (questionable)

Jalen Pickett (questionable)

DaRon Holmes (out)

Boston Celtics injury report

Kristaps Porzingis (out)

Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics: Starting lineups and depth charts

Denver Nuggets starting lineups and depth charts

Starters	2nd	3rd
Jamal Murray (G)	Russell Westbrook (G)	Jahmir Young
Christian Braun (G)	Julian Strawther (G)
Michael Porter Jr. (F)	Jaylin Williams (F)	Gabe McGlothan	Hunter Tyson
Aaron Gordon (F)	Zeke Nnaji (F)	Vlatko Cancar	Dario Saric
Nikola Jokic (C)	De'Andre Jordan	PJ Hall

Boston Celtics starting lineups and depth charts

Starters	2nd	3rd	4th
Derrick White (G)	Payton Pritchard	JD Davison
Jrue Holiday (G)	Jaden Springer	Lonnie Walker IV	Baylor Scheierman
Jaylen Brown (G)	Jordan Walsh	Ron Harper Jr.	Tristan Enaruna
Jayson Tatum (F)	Sam Hauser	Xavier Tillman Sr.	Drew Peterson
Al Horford (C)	Neemias Queta	Luke Kornet	Dmytro Skapintsev

Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics: Key matchups

Jaylen Brown vs Christian Braun

Jaylen Brown, Boston’s reigning NBA Finals MVP is seemingly carrying an even bigger chip on his shoulder than last season’s title-winning campaign. Brown pushed back against his exclusion from Team USA in the Olympics when Kawhi Leonard decided to rest his knees. “JB” is raring to prove his doubters wrong.

Mike Malone will try to slow Brown by putting Christian Braun on him. After letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go in free agency, Braun has been inserted into the starting roster. He has shown flashes of becoming an elite 3-and-D player, but he will be tested in Abu Dhabi.

Nikola Jokic vs Al Horford

Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, had a long summer. “The Joker” is expected to see limited action in preseason games. But when he is on the floor, his matchup with Al Horford has to be one of the most entertaining.

Jokic is easily one of the toughest players to contain in the NBA. Horford, Boston’s oldest player, has his work cut out for him.

Jayson Tatum vs Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr.

Like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum heads into the season with something to prove. Tatum hardly saw action in the Olympics and was benched in two games by coach Steve Kerr.

Tatum will take on either Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr. In the Nuggets-Celtics head-to-head last season, the two Denver forwards took turns guarding “JT.” It wouldn’t be a surprise if that trend continues in Abu Dhabi.