NBA wrap: Kyrie Irving leads Celtics in thriller over Nuggets

Kyrie Irving has scored 20-plus points in his last eight games.

Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics during an NBA match against the Denver Nuggets.

Celtics guard Jaylen Brown made a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left on the clock on Monday, and it proved enough to beat the Nuggets 111-110 in Denver.

Kyrie Irving led Boston with a game-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, while also dishing out six assists. Irving has now scored 20-plus points in eight straight games. Jayson Tatum added 20 points and six rebounds.

The Celtics (36-15) led by 11 after the first quarter, but Denver chipped away at the lead. Tied entering the final minute, the Celtics hit a couple clutch shots and stymied the Nuggets on defense.

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Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The versatile center is averaging a double-double this season. Trey Lyles came off the bench to score 20 points, while Will Barton added 19 points.

The loss ended the Nuggets' three-game winning streak, but Denver remains in eighth in the Western Conference standings.

Stud of the Night:

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points with 18 rebounds and six assists in a 107-95 win over the 76ers. He became just the fifth player with 30-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and five-plus assists in a game this season, joining DeMarcus Cousins (four times), Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid and Russell Westbrook.

Dud of the Night:

Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague scored just two points on 1-of-12 shooting in a 105-100 loss to the Hawks. Teague did dish out 10 assists, but his ineffectiveness from the floor helped lead to Minnesota's surprise loss.

Highlight:

Not in Victor Oladipo's house: Oladipo scored a game-high 25 points in a 105-96 win over the Pacers.

What's Next:

Thunder (30-20) at Wizards (27-22) — Suddenly on fire, Oklahoma City has rattled off eight straight wins thanks to Paul George's improved play. Russell Westbrook has again been a triple-double threat every night, while Steven Adams has developed into a two-way threat. Bradley Beal and John Wall give Washington a chance to win every night, but the Wizards are still looking for a consistent third scorer.