The Denver Nuggets faced a challenging playoff run, ultimately falling short in the Western Conference against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The elimination came as a blow after a taxing series of games that saw Denver surmount considerable obstacles, particularly against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
The Nuggets displayed resilience in defeating the Lakers 4-1, overcoming double-digit deficits in three of these matchups. Despite Jamal Murray's ongoing battle with injuries to his calf and elbow, his perseverance was evident though his shooting percentages suffered—hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range against the Lakers.
Jamal Murray's determination continued to shine in the semifinals against Minnesota, a series that stretched to a nail-biting Game 7. The Nuggets saw a significant 20-point lead evaporate in the second half of the decisive game. Still, Murray's impressive 35-point performance wasn’t enough to secure victory.
Despite their exit, Denver had showcased their strength earlier in the season, particularly in their performance against the Boston Celtics. The Nuggets had swept their season series against Boston, including an eye-catching victory on January 19 at TD Garden, tarnishing Boston’s near-perfect home record of 20-1 at that time. Notably, in their second meeting on March 7, Nikola Jokic wowed fans with a 32-point triple-double, while Jaylen Brown responded with a formidable 41-point effort.
Reflecting on the season, it becomes clear just how pivotal the games against the Celtics were in building the Nuggets’ confidence. Denver's sweeping victories against Boston underscored their potential, even as the playoffs presented harsher realities.
The Celtics, on the other hand, had a stellar season, finishing with a 64-18 record and a commanding plus-11.7 point differential. They continued their dominance into the playoffs, going 16-3. During the Conference Finals, they took on the Dallas Mavericks, securing victory up to Game 3 before suffering a crushing 30-point defeat in Game 4. The Celtics’ ability to bounce back in Game 5 was something Jayson Tatum anticipated, despite the setback.
Jayson Tatum, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the playoffs, noted, “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.” His faith in Denver as a potential try-out for the Finals illustrated the respect held for the Nuggets' capabilities.
Tatum’s memories of the Game 4 loss remain vivid. “No gas,” as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had succinctly put it, encapsulates the fatigue that had settled in. Tatum elaborated, “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 morning of Game 4 was particularly tumultuous for Tatum: “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.” His tension reflected a shared anxiousness among the team: “We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30.” The crushing loss fueled their resolve for Game 5. “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 recounted.
Ultimately, the journey through these playoff battles highlighted the ups and downs intrinsic to the NBA postseason. The Denver Nuggets' fortitude in overcoming the Lakers and their season highlights against the Celtics demonstrated their potential, even as their campaign fell short. Meanwhile, the Celtics’ path to contention, marked by highs, lows, and introspective moments from leaders like Tatum, echoed the trials and triumphs of championship pursuits in the NBA.