**Celtics Make Impressive Comeback to Defeat Nuggets 107-103 in Abu Dhabi Preseason Opener**

In a thrilling preseason opener on Friday, the Boston Celtics overcame a significant second-half deficit to narrowly beat the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in Abu Dhabi. The Celtics struggled with their shooting in the beginning, managing only 28 percent from 3-point range, but their resilience paid off in the end as they surged back to claim victory.

Boston's tough start extended into the second half, especially as the starting lineup rested for the last 24 minutes. Key contributors such as Jayson Tatum, who scored 11 points, and Drew Peterson, who added 10 points, were among the few players scoring in double figures for the team. Nevertheless, it was Payton Pritchard's outstanding performance that sparked the turnaround. Pritchard, playing with considerable intensity, tallied a game-high 24 points to rally the team in the third quarter before the reserves sealed the win in the final period.

The Celtics opted to rest veteran Al Horford while Kristaps Porzingis remained sidelined as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. Luke Kornet, stepping in for Horford, held his own impressively, posting 6 points and securing a team-high 11 rebounds in his 21 minutes on the court. Xavier Tillman also offered solidity off the bench, contributing significantly with two 3-pointers, two steals, and a block.

Despite the absence of some key players, the team's depth was on display, with newcomers such as Jordan Walsh making notable contributions. Walsh demonstrated his defensive prowess and energy, recording nine points, four rebounds, and four assists—proving he could be a crucial asset moving forward.

Jayson Tatum, who has been tweaking his 3-point shooting form during the offseason, showed promising signs by hitting three of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. This comes as a positive development for the Celtics, especially after Tatum’s struggles with his perimeter shooting during the Olympics.

Nikola Jokic was a standout for the Nuggets, accumulating 14 points and 8 rebounds in just 17 minutes of the first half. Despite Boston's efforts, Jokic remained a challenging matchup throughout his time on the floor. Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook, who scored 12 points each, also provided significant contributions for Denver.

This game marked only the beginning of the preseason for the Celtics, who quickly turn around to face the Nuggets again in Abu Dhabi on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET before heading back to Boston. All eyes will be on how the team continues to adjust and build momentum as they prepare for the regular season.