Last season ended in unexpected disappointment for the Denver Nuggets, who entered the playoffs with robust expectations as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Despite their previous championship-winning performance, they were eliminated in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The unexpected exit left fans and analysts questioning what went wrong for a team that had all the makings of another deep playoff run.
The Nuggets struggled to find their rhythm in the postseason, facing stiff challenges—including a grueling series against the Los Angeles Lakers. While Denver had previously swept Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals during their championship season, this time around, key players couldn’t deliver when it mattered most. Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell's subpar performances in the playoffs were particularly glaring, highlighting the team's difficulty in stepping up against elite competition.
Nuggets’ Struggles and Injuries
A string of injuries further complicated Denver's playoff journey. Notable absences included Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, whose injuries ended their seasons prematurely. Their loss was a significant blow to a roster that was already struggling with consistency and execution.
Key Players, Key Loss
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope emerged as a crucial player for the Nuggets last season, but his departure in the offseason to sign a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic signals a pivotal moment for both him and the franchise. His exit will undoubtedly require Denver to re-evaluate and retool as they aim to return to championship contention.
Reflecting on the season, Caldwell-Pope noted, “You know how, towards the playoffs, guys get their rest, but I feel like that's where we spent most of our energy at times, trying to get that first place [spot in the West]. Playing catch-up. And then, we get to the playoffs, we have no gas. We felt like the Lakers should've beat us. We was down every game—at least 10 to, like, 20-something…Taking that energy and using it there. It was a lot that went into that season, no doubt."
Lakers' Performance
On the other side of the court, the Lakers saw standout contributions from their stars. LeBron James averaged an impressive 27.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs and achieved career-highs with 8.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Similarly, Anthony Davis was a powerhouse, averaging 27.8 points and 15.6 rebounds per game, alongside 4.0 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. Despite these figures, the Lakers were not without their struggles. Analysts pointed to head coach Darvin Ham’s lack of adjustments and late-game execution as critical factors that exacerbated the team's tendency to blow leads.
"The nails in the Lakers' coffin were Darvin Ham's lack of adjustments and late-game execution—which resulted in those blown leads—as well as poor performances from anyone not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis," summarized one analyst.
Future Prospects
As the Nuggets look ahead, there is a clear need for reassessment and regrouping. The franchise must determine how to mitigate the loss of Caldwell-Pope and address the glaring issues that surfaced in their postseason. With key players recovering from injuries, the hope is that new signings and strategic adjustments will restore Denver to their former glory.
Achieving that may hinge on better management of player energy throughout the season, avoiding the trap of burning out before the playoffs. As Caldwell-Pope indicated, conserving their strength and optimizing performance during the most crucial times will be essential for any future successes.
The Nuggets, much like their fans, expect nothing less than a return to championship form. It remains to be seen how they will navigate these challenges and come out stronger on the other side.