In a season filled with high hopes and determined performances, the Denver Nuggets saw their journey in the NBA playoffs come to an unexpected end. Despite their formidable showings during the regular season and early playoff rounds, the Nuggets were ultimately eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round, a series that concluded in dramatic fashion.
Denver had shown their prowess against top teams throughout the season, notably sweeping their series against the Boston Celtics. Their first victory in Boston on January 19 handed the Celtics their first home defeat, marring a previously unblemished 20-1 home record. Later, on March 7, the Nuggets triumphed once more, with a spectacular 32-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic countered by Jaylen Brown’s 41-point effort for the Celtics.
The Nuggets embarked on their playoff run facing significant challenges. Their opening series against the Los Angeles Lakers was no easy feat. Despite facing double-digit deficits in three games, Denver emerged victorious 4-1, showcasing their resilience. This tenacity was partly embodied by Jamal Murray, who played through calf and elbow injuries. Murray, however, struggled with his shooting efficiency, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from beyond the arc against the Lakers.
The real test of their mettle came in the semifinal series against Minnesota, which extended to a nerve-wracking Game 7. The Nuggets had built a substantial 20-point lead in the second half, only to see it evaporate as the Timberwolves mounted a relentless comeback. Murray shone brightly in the crucial game, scoring 35 points, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the series.
While Denver's playoff exit was disappointing, the Celtics were riding high on their successful season. They boasted a remarkable 64-18 record and an impressive plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff journey was nearly flawless, finishing with a 16-3 record. The Celtics battled the Dallas Mavericks in the finals, winning the first three games with ease.
However, the Celtics encountered a hiccup in Game 4, suffering a stunning 30-point defeat. The loss shook the team's confidence momentarily. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Jayson Tatum shared, "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." His teammate, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, succinctly summed up the sentiment with, "No gas."
Tatum recalled the tension leading up to Game 4, "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."
The night before Game 4 was restless for 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 reflected. The anticipation and anxiety were palpable as he added, "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30." Despite the setback, Tatum remained confident about their chances in the subsequent game. "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."
The Boston Celtics, ultimately, may have stumbled but stood tall as champions, turning their determination into triumph. For the Denver Nuggets, the playoff run highlighted both their strengths and areas for growth. As they look ahead, the season's lessons and experiences will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors on the court.