Russell Westbrook turned back the clock a bit on Tuesday night against the Celtics, leading the shorthanded Nuggets with 26 points and nine rebounds in their 118-106 defeat. Jayson Tatum got the better of the Nuggets guard with a game-high 29 points in the victory, helping the Celtics earn a 3-1 road trip in Denver.

Westbrook has been a pleasant surprise for Denver this season as the veteran’s minimum signing, filling in well as a spot starter for a Nuggets team lacking depth. After one of his best performances of the year, Tatum had high praise for the legendary guard after a hard fought battle.

“Love Russ to death,” Tatum told reporters in Denver. “I can’t say enough good things about him, what he’s meant to the game, the NBA. One of the best players to ever play. How he’s inspired so many kids, I was in high school watching Russ when he first got to the league. To build a relationship with him, he’s been the same competitor since my rookie year to now. You just cherish those moments when you play against legends because it’s something you’ll always be able to remember.”

Tatum was seen trading words with Westbrook on a few occasions during the game, something that is uncharacteristic of the Celtics All-Star. However, Tatum revealed he makes an exception in a few cases for players like Westbrook.

“It’s cool because I know Russ,” Tatum said of his trash talk. “I’m not a trash talker. I don’t say anything at all really but if I got a relationship with you, if I know you, I go back and forth. I’m pretty close with Russ so it’s always fun to have matchups every year with each other.”

That sentiment was shared by Tatum’s teammate Jrue Holiday in the locker room.

“Man, Hall of Famer, one of the best to ever do it,” Holiday said. “Obviously a fellow Bruin and watching him from obviously when I was younger to now him being a Hall of Famer, first ballot for sure, it’s really cool, knowing that he makes an impact on every team that he goes to, not only on the court but off the court.”

The Celtics will get one more chance to face off with Westbrook and the Nuggets this season in Boston on March 2nd. For now, they are riding high after a challenging 3-1 road trip despite playing shorthanded in three of those wins.

“3-1 is pretty good,” Tatum said. “We wanted to win every game. We wanted to be 4-0. Sunday was tough but we bounced back and responded tonight. And we’ll just go back home and continue to build off this game and keep it going.”

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