The Denver Nuggets' ambitious playoff run met a sudden, heart-wrenching halt as they exited the Western Conference playoffs. A formidable Minnesota Timberwolves squad eliminated Denver in a dramatic second-round showdown. However, the Nuggets' season was punctuated by several noteworthy performances and moments.
Throughout the regular season, Denver demonstrated its prowess, particularly in their matchups against the Boston Celtics. The Nuggets swept their season series against the Celtics, showcasing an especially dominant victory on January 19 at TD Garden. This win was pivotal, as it blemished Boston's then-impeccable 20-1 home record. Denver's second triumph over Boston on March 7 was highlighted by a spectacular 32-point triple-double from the Nuggets' towering center Nikola Jokic. Despite Jaylen Brown's valiant 41-point effort for the Celtics, Denver emerged victorious once again.
The road through the playoffs was anything but a smooth path for the Nuggets. Starting with the grueling first-round challenge against the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver faced significant adversities. They managed to overcome double-digit deficits in three of the five games, ultimately securing a 4-1 series victory. Jamal Murray's resilience was on full display as he soldiered through injuries to his calf and elbow, despite managing only 40.2% shooting from the field and 31.5% from long range.
The semifinal series against the Timberwolves turned into a dramatic seven-game clash. The defining Game 7 saw Denver squandering a 20-point second-half lead, only to witness a remarkable 35-point performance by Jamal Murray. Nevertheless, this wasn't enough to fend off Minnesota’s advance, marking a bitter end to the Nuggets' playoff journey.
Meanwhile, the Celtics enjoyed a stellar season, finishing with a 64-18 record and boasting a plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff journey was no less impressive, with a 16-3 win-loss record leading them to the conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics surged ahead, taking the first three games, but faltered in Game 4 with a stunning 30-point defeat. This loss introduced unexpected nerves and tension.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum shared his insight: "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."
According to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Nuggets, the draining series against the Timberwolves left them with "no gas," indicating the physical and emotional toll it took on the team. This sentiment was echoed through the locker room atmosphere during crucial moments of their playoff run.
Tatum also recounted the anxious prelude to Game 4: "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." Despite the soaring confidence, the Celtics were hit hard by the Game 4 loss. Tatum continued, "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 tension was palpable as the Celtics attempted to maintain composure: "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum shared, illustrating the overwhelming pressure faced by the team. However, Tatum's faith never wavered, as he concluded, "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."
In the unfolding saga of the NBA playoffs, both the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics displayed remarkable highs and crushing lows. While the Nuggets’ journey was abruptly stopped by the Timberwolves, the Celtics continued to march forward with the resilience and determination that define championship teams. The emotional narratives from players like Tatum and Caldwell-Pope provide a poignant backdrop to a season filled with triumph, struggle, and the relentless pursuit of glory.