In an intense and tumultuous NBA season, the Denver Nuggets faced significant ups and downs, navigating through formidable opponents and battling internal challenges. The Nuggets were ultimately eliminated from the Western Conference in the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round, following a series of highs and lows that tested the team's resilience.
Regular Season Dominance
During the regular season, the Nuggets showcased their prowess by sweeping the season series against the Boston Celtics. Notably, an impressive victory on January 19 at TD Garden shattered Boston's then-perfect home record of 20-1. The Nuggets continued their domination by emerging victorious again in their second meeting on March 7. Nikola Jokic's stellar performance, recording a 32-point triple-double, and Jaylen Brown's remarkable 41-point game highlighted the gathering intensity as the postseason approached.
Playoff Struggles and Triumphs
The road to the playoffs was paved with significant challenges for the Nuggets. In the first round, they faced the Los Angeles Lakers and secured a 4-1 series victory, overcoming double-digit deficits in three games. Despite playing through injuries to his calf and elbow, Jamal Murray displayed unfaltering determination, albeit with some shooting struggles, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from beyond the arc. Yet, his resilience was key in driving the Nuggets forward.
Heartbreak Against Minnesota
The semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves proved to be a rollercoaster, stretching to a decisive Game 7. Denver's playoff journey came to a jarring halt as they blew a 20-point lead in the second half of the final game, despite Jamal Murray's valiant effort, scoring 35 points. This collapse marked the end of Denver's aspirations for the championship, a stark contrast to their earlier dominance over Boston and other teams during the season.
Reflections from the Celtics
The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, finished the season with a formidable 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. They embarked on an impressive playoff run, going 16-3 and reaching the finals against the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics won up to Game 3 but faced a crushing 30-point defeat in Game 4, creating uncertainty about the ultimate outcome.
Jayson Tatum reflected on the significance of Denver's exit, stating, "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."
Championship Aspirations
The Celtics approached Game 4 with a sense of anticipation. "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," Tatum recalled. The pressure was palpable as they prepared for what could be the defining game of their season.
"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. Despite their efforts to maintain normalcy, the anxiety was overwhelming. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," he admitted, illustrating the weight of their expectations.
Nonetheless, the Celtics' resolve remained unshaken. Tatum emphasized their determination, "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."
As the season drew to a close, the Denver Nuggets' journey served as a testament to the unpredictability and drama of the NBA playoffs. Their highs and lows, coupled with the Celtics' reflections, paint a vivid picture of a season that tested the mettle of both teams, providing fans with memorable moments and insights into the minds of the players striving for glory.