In a season marked by incredible highs and unexpected lows, the Denver Nuggets' journey through the NBA playoffs ultimately ended in heartache. Despite their impressive regular season and a promising start to the postseason, the Nuggets fell short in the Western Conference, ousted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a riveting seven-game series.
Denver Dominates Regular Season Matchups
Throughout the regular season, the Nuggets showcased their prowess, particularly against formidable opponents like the Boston Celtics. Denver swept their season series against Boston, with a notable victory on January 19 at TD Garden that blemished the Celtics' then-perfect home record of 20-1. Nikola Jokic was a standout performer, recording a 32-point triple-double in the team's second meeting on March 7, where Jaylen Brown's 41-point effort for the Celtics wasn't enough to secure a win.
As the regular season concluded, the Celtics posted an impressive 64-18 record with a plus-11.7 point differential, setting high expectations for their playoff run.
Nuggets' Playoff Rollercoaster
The Nuggets seemed poised for greatness as they navigated the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers, securing a 4-1 series win. Overcoming significant obstacles, Denver battled back from double-digit deficits in three of those games. Jamal Murray’s resilience was evident as he pushed through injuries to his calf and elbow, although he struggled with his shooting, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep.
The semifinal series against the Timberwolves proved to be a grueling test of endurance and skill. The matchup extended to a nail-biting Game 7, where the Nuggets built a 20-point lead in the second half, only to see it slip away. Despite Jamal Murray's valiant effort, scoring 35 points, the Timberwolves executed a stunning comeback to eliminate Denver from the postseason.
The View from Boston
While Denver grappled with their playoff exit, the Boston Celtics had their path set on the championship. After going 16-3 in the playoffs, the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Despite a crushing 30-point loss in Game 4, the Celtics remained unfazed. Anticipating a turnaround in Game 5, their confidence never wavered.
Jayson Tatum reflected on the pivotal moments leading up to the championship, saying, "People always ask me, when did you guys know you were going to win a championship? 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."
Determination Fueled by Adversity
Tatum’s confidence was palpable even in the face of adversity. "Oh my God. Nobody has ever come back from 0-3, so 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," he added.
As Game 4 approached, the gravity of the situation wasn’t lost on Tatum. "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 shared. The pressure was immense, and it showed in their performance. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
However, the Celtics' resolve was unshaken. "We wanted to win so bad. We were so anxious and so tight. But I knew when we were coming back home for Game 5, we were going to win," Tatum stated, reflecting on the team's mindset.
Amidst the Nuggets' exit and the Celtics' march towards the championship, the NBA playoffs this season offered a spectacle of resilience, surprises, and intense competition. For Denver, the journey ended sooner than hoped, but their tenacity throughout the season and the postseason battles have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting future.