The Denver Nuggets' journey in this year's NBA playoffs was a roller-coaster of triumphs and letdowns, ultimately ending in their exit from the Western Conference after a tough semifinal matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite showing promise throughout the season and early playoff rounds, Denver couldn't overcome their playoff hurdles.
Nuggets' Season and Playoffs Performance
The Nuggets had a remarkable regular season, highlighted by an impressive season sweep against the Boston Celtics. This included a standout victory on January 19 at TD Garden, which tarnished Boston's near-perfect home record at the time.
In their second meeting on March 7, Denver once again showcased their prowess, with Nikola Jokic recording a 32-point triple-double. Despite a valiant effort from Jaylen Brown, who scored 41 points, the Celtics couldn't topple the Nuggets.
However, the playoffs presented a different narrative. Denver faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, where they secured a 4-1 victory. Notably, the Nuggets overcame double-digit deficits in three of those games, displaying resilience and determination.
Challenges Against the Lakers
Jamal Murray played through injuries to his calf and elbow, which affected his shooting performance. He hit only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range during the series against the Lakers. Yet, his tenacity and leadership on the court were evident, allowing the Nuggets to advance.
Semifinal Struggles with Minnesota
Denver's semifinal series with the Minnesota Timberwolves was a grueling seven-game battle. The Nuggets faced significant adversity, including blowing a 20-point lead in the second half of Game 7.
Despite a standout 35-point performance from Jamal Murray in the decisive game, Denver couldn't hold on, leading to their elimination from the Western Conference playoffs.
The series was one that highlighted both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the Nuggets. "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," reflected Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum. "I thought that we were going to play Denver in the Finals and it was going to be a good one."
The Celtics' Impressive Run
On the other end, the Boston Celtics had an extraordinary season, finishing with a 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff journey was equally impressive, going 16-3 and advancing to the NBA Finals.
The Celtics dominated the Dallas Mavericks up to Game 3 but faced a setback with a 30-point loss in Game 4. Despite the loss, the team's confidence remained unshaken. Jayson Tatum recalled, "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 tension and anticipation were palpable as the Celtics prepared for Game 4. "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 shared. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
The loss did little to dampen the Celtics' spirit. "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 said, highlighting the unwavering belief within the team.
In the end, the Celtics’ season concluded with them securing the championship, fulfilling the prophecy that Tatum and his teammates believed in so deeply.
The Denver Nuggets' playoff run, while not ending in the desired outcome, provided a season of impressive performances and valuable experiences. For the Celtics, their journey underscored a relentless pursuit of excellence and an unshakeable faith in their championship destiny.