In a season that encapsulated the highs and lows of professional basketball, the Denver Nuggets' journey in the NBA playoffs ended in the second round, as they were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite several remarkable performances and overcoming significant adversities, the Nuggets' run was cut short after a seven-game battle against Minnesota.
Season Highlights and Key Victories
The Nuggets swept their season series against the Boston Celtics, a team that finished the regular season with an impressive 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. On January 19, Denver dealt Boston its first home defeat of the season, ending the Celtics' perfect 20-1 record at TD Garden. In their second meeting on March 7, the Nuggets triumphed once again, with Nikola Jokic recording a 32-point triple-double, while Jaylen Brown notched an impressive 41 points for the Celtics.
First Round Triumph Over the Lakers
The Nuggets encountered significant obstacles starting with their first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the challenge, Denver emerged victorious, defeating the Lakers 4-1. Jamal Murray's resilience was a hallmark of the series; playing through injuries to his calf and elbow, Murray managed to push through, although his shooting percentages – 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep – reflected his physical struggles.
Denver showcased their tenacity by overcoming double-digit deficits in three of their victories against the Lakers. This performance, filled with grit and determination, set the stage for their second-round clash against the Timberwolves.
A Dramatic Second Round Against Minnesota
The semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves proved to be a rollercoaster for the Nuggets. The series went the distance to Game 7, where Denver experienced a heartbreaking collapse. Despite building a 20-point lead in the second half of the decisive game, the Nuggets were unable to maintain their advantage, ultimately falling to Minnesota.
Jamal Murray, once again showcasing his scoring ability, put up 35 points in Game 7. However, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory and advance further in the playoffs.
Reflections from the Celtics’ Perspective
From the perspective of the Boston Celtics, there was a palpable anticipation that Denver would potentially be their biggest competition in the Finals. Celtics' star Jayson Tatum remarked on the importance of Denver's matchup, 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 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."
Emotional Journey to the Championship
The Celtics, who were a dominant force throughout the playoffs, posted a 16-3 record in the postseason. Their journey saw them advance to face the Dallas Mavericks, where they quickly secured a 3-0 series lead. However, a hiccup in Game 4 saw them lose by 30 points, injecting a sense of urgency and introspection within the team.
Reflecting on the pivotal moments, Tatum shared, "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 continued to recount the emotional rollercoaster leading up to Game 5: "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. We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30. 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."
Ultimately, the Celtics' self-belief and determination culminated in a championship victory, affirming their status as one of the most formidable teams in the league. The Nuggets, despite their early exit, demonstrated a level of resilience and potential that promises an exciting future for the franchise.