The Denver Nuggets' journey through the NBA playoffs this season was filled with highs and lows, culminating in their exit from the Western Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves ousted Denver in a nail-biting second-round series, but the Nuggets' campaign was not without moments of brilliance and resilience.
Season Dominance and Regular Season Highlights
Denver shone during their regular season clashes against the Boston Celtics, sweeping the series and delivering a standout victory on January 19 at TD Garden. This win disrupted Boston's pristine home record of 20-1. In their rematch on March 7, the Nuggets once again emerged victorious, bolstered by a stellar performance from Nikola Jokic, who notched a 32-point triple-double. Despite Jaylen Brown’s impressive 41 points, Denver’s tenacity saw them through.
First-Round Triumph Over the Lakers
The first round of the playoffs pitted the Nuggets against the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver overcame significant obstacles, including double-digit deficits in three of the games, to win the series 4-1. Jamal Murray played through injuries to his calf and elbow, although his shooting percentage suffered, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep.
Heartbreak in the Semifinals
The semifinal series against Minnesota proved to be a challenging affair, extending to a decisive Game 7. Denver saw a 20-point lead evaporate in the second half of this critical match, ultimately costing them the series. Nevertheless, Jamal Murray delivered a commendable performance with 35 points in Game 7.
Celtics' Perspective on Denver
The Boston Celtics, who finished the season with an impressive 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential, experienced their postseason run differently. They went 16-3 in the playoffs, with their journey extending to the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Jayson Tatum reflected on the pivotal moments, noting that the Celtics had planned for a championship duel against Denver.
"People always ask me, when did you guys know you were going to win a championship?" said Tatum. "When Minnesota beat Denver, I felt like Denver was the only team that they matched up best with us. I thought that we were going to play Denver in the Finals and it was going to be a good one."
Facing the Mavericks
Boston’s road to the Finals saw them winning until Game 3 against the Mavericks. However, a stunning 30-point loss in Game 4 left the Celtics reeling. "Oh my God. Nobody has ever come back from 0-3," Tatum recalled. "I remember getting back to the locker room and I remember saying, 'I don't know what game it's going to be, but we're going to win the championship.' That was a weird feeling."
Tatum shared that the anticipation and anxiety of being so close to clinching the title affected the team's performance. "I wasn't able to sleep that night and I remember the morning of Game 4 we had shootaround, and I had never been in the position that if we win tonight, we're champions," he said. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
A Chance at Redemption
Despite the setback in Game 4, the Celtics were determined to bounce back. "We wanted to win so bad. We were so anxious and so tight," Tatum admitted. "But I knew when we were coming back home for Game 5, we were going to win."
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope succinctly summarized the emotional exhaustion that can come with the grueling NBA playoffs: "No gas."
As Boston continued their pursuit of a championship, Denver’s exit from the playoffs provided a sobering reminder of the thin margins between triumph and heartbreak in professional sports. The Nuggets' performances, particularly against formidable opponents like the Lakers and Celtics, are a testament to their resilience and potential for future success.