Denver Nuggets' Rollercoaster Journey in the NBA Playoffs
The Denver Nuggets' postseason journey in the NBA playoffs was filled with highs and lows, culminating in their exit from the Western Conference at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. Despite their dramatic season and moments of brilliance, the Nuggets fell short of their ultimate goal.
Regular Season Dominance Against the Celtics
Throughout the regular season, the Nuggets had impressive performances, especially against the Boston Celtics. Denver managed to sweep the season series, which included an impressive victory on January 19 at the TD Garden. This win was particularly significant as it tarnished Boston's then-perfect home record of 20-1. The Nuggets didn't stop there; in their second meeting on March 7, they emerged victorious once again. Nikola Jokic's 32-point triple-double was a standout performance, rivaled only by Jaylen Brown's 41-point effort for the Celtics.
First Round Triumph Over the Lakers
The first round of the playoffs saw Denver face the formidable Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets overcame significant obstacles, including a series of double-digit deficits in three of the games. They ultimately triumphed over the Lakers with a 4-1 series victory. Jamal Murray's resilience was on full display as he played despite dealing with injuries to his calf and elbow. However, his shooting percentages suffered, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep against the Lakers.
The Semifinal Showdown with Minnesota
The semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves was a battle to the wire, extending to a decisive Game 7. The Nuggets held a substantial 20-point lead in the second half but couldn't maintain their advantage, ultimately succumbing to Minnesota. Despite this heart-wrenching loss, Jamal Murray's 35-point performance in Game 7 was a testament to his tenacity and skill.
Celtics' Near-Perfect Season and Playoff Dominance
For the Boston Celtics, the regular season was nothing short of remarkable. They finished with a 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. Their dominance carried into the playoffs, where they went 16-3. The Celtics reached the Finals after winning three consecutive games against the Dallas Mavericks, only to suffer a surprising 30-point loss in Game 4.
Jayson Tatum shared his thoughts on the pivotal moments of their playoff run: "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."
Tension and Anticipation Leading to Game 5
The anticipation and pressure were palpable following their stinging defeat in Game 4. Reflecting on this, Tatum said, "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." The Celtics' anxiety and eagerness to clinch the championship contributed to their disjointed play, leading to a substantial loss. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum recalled.
Despite this setback, the Celtics remained confident in their ability to bounce back. As Tatum noted, "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 Road Ahead for Denver
The Denver Nuggets' journey this season showcased their resilience and potential. While their playoff run ended earlier than hoped, the team demonstrated that they can compete at the highest level. As they regroup and look to the future, the lessons learned from this tumultuous postseason will undoubtedly shape their path forward.