The Denver Nuggets' journey in the NBA playoffs this year was a rollercoaster of triumphs and trials. Despite a promising start, their journey concluded unexpectedly in the Western Conference, falling in the second round to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Denver had shown their potential throughout the season, sweeping their series against the Boston Celtics with notable victories. On January 19, the Nuggets handed Boston their first home defeat of the season, breaking the Celtics' impressive 20-1 record at TD Garden. Their dominance continued with another victory over the Celtics on March 7, highlighted by Nikola Jokic's stellar 32-point triple-double performance. In that same game, Jaylen Brown of the Celtics put up an impressive 41 points in a losing effort.
The Nuggets faced significant challenges from the onset of the playoffs. Their first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers tested their resilience, but they ultimately emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win. The series included multiple come-from-behind victories, as Denver overcame double-digit deficits in three of the games. Jamal Murray's performance, despite battling injuries to his calf and elbow, was notable; he shot 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep against the Lakers.
Semifinal Struggles
The semifinals against the Timberwolves proved to be a turning point. The series stretched to a grueling Game 7, where the Nuggets experienced a heartbreaking collapse. Leading by 20 points in the second half, Denver faltered, allowing Minnesota to snatch victory from their grasp. Jamal Murray posted a valiant 35-point effort in the decisive game, but it wasn't enough to secure a win.
Reflecting on the Celtics' path, they finished the season as one of the elite teams with a 64-18 record and an impressive plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff run was equally dominant, going 16-3. However, their journey wasn't without drama. After cruising through the first three games against the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics stumbled in Game 4, suffering a 30-point blowout loss. This unexpected defeat added tension and anticipation to the series.
A Player's Perspective
Jayson Tatum, reflecting on the postseason, shared his thoughts on the pivotal moments. "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," he said, underscoring the unexpected nature of the playoffs.
Another moment of reflection came after the Celtics' Game 3 win against Dallas, putting them on the brink of a championship. Tatum recalled the surreal feeling of nearing the title. "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 remarked.
The anticipation before Game 4 was palpable. "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," said Tatum. Despite the excitement, the Celtics failed to clinch the title in Game 4. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum admitted, reflecting on the team's nervous energy.
However, Tatum's confidence in his team 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," he concluded.
Through ups and downs, the narratives of the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics this season are a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports. Denver's early promise and subsequent struggles contrast sharply with Boston's eventual triumph, encapsulating the highs and lows that define the NBA playoffs.