The Denver Nuggets' playoff journey came to an abrupt halt as the Minnesota Timberwolves ousted them in the second round of the Western Conference. This marked the end of a tumultuous season for the Nuggets, who had shown glimpses of brilliance but faced significant hurdles along the way.
Season of Highs and Lows
Denver boasted a commendable regular-season performance, including sweeping their season series against the Boston Celtics. This feat was particularly notable, as the Nuggets managed to tarnish Boston's near-perfect home record of 20-1 with an exceptional victory on January 19 at TD Garden. Adding to their success, the Nuggets triumphed again against the Celtics in their second meeting on March 7, where Nikola Jokic recorded a dazzling 32-point triple-double, and Jaylen Brown countered with an impressive 41 points.
However, the playoffs presented a grueling path. Denver faced significant challenges from the onset, beginning with their matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Despite the obstacles, the Nuggets emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win. It was no easy feat as the team had to overcome substantial double-digit deficits in three of the games. Jamal Murray played through injuries to his calf and elbow but struggled with his shooting, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep.
The Semifinal Showdown
The semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves pushed the Nuggets to their limits, stretching to a tense Game 7. Denver experienced a heart-wrenching moment as they squandered a 20-point lead in the second half, ultimately leading to their exit from the playoffs. Despite Jamal Murray's valiant effort with 35 points in Game 7, it wasn't enough to secure the win.
What Could Have Been
For the Boston Celtics, their season was rife with achievements. They finished with a dominant 64-18 record and a remarkable plus-11.7 point differential. Their postseason performance was equally impressive, going 16-3 in the playoffs. The Celtics powered through to the finals, where they faced the Dallas Mavericks. Though they lost Game 4 by a staggering 30 points, the Celtics remained undeterred.
Reflecting on the season, Jayson Tatum shared his thoughts, "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."
Tatum's confidence in their chances was palpable. "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 recalled.
The Final Stretch
The pressure of the finals was immense. "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," Tatum reflected. The weight of the moment was clearly felt by the entire team.
"We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum said, encapsulating the tension and the subsequent disappointment of that heavy defeat. However, the Celtics' determination never wavered. "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 Denver Nuggets' season may have ended in heartbreak, but their journey was marked by resilience and noteworthy victories. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics' triumphant campaign, despite facing their own set of challenges, showcased their resolve and underscored the unpredictable drama of the NBA playoffs.