The Denver Nuggets' journey in the NBA playoffs was a rollercoaster of highs and lows marked by crucial victories, tough defeats, and standout performances. Exiting from the Western Conference, the Nuggets came up short in the second round of the playoffs, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a dramatic Game 7.
Stellar Regular Season Against the Celtics
During the regular season, the Nuggets showcased their dominance against the Boston Celtics by sweeping their season series. An early victory on January 19 at TD Garden snapped Boston's impeccable home record of 20-1. Later, on March 7, Denver triumphed again, bolstered by Nikola Jokic’s standout performance, recording a 32-point triple-double.
In the same game, Jaylen Brown of the Celtics delivered a noteworthy performance, scoring 41 points. Despite Denver’s regular-season success, the playoffs proved to be a different battlefield.
Playoff Battles and Injuries
The Nuggets faced formidable obstacles from the outset of the playoffs. In the first round, they managed to overcome the Los Angeles Lakers with a 4-1 series victory, despite trailing by double digits in three separate games. Guard Jamal Murray battled through calf and elbow injuries, but his shooting percentages remained notably low, hitting just 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from beyond the arc against the Lakers.
A Grueling Series Against Minnesota
The Nuggets' semifinal series against the Timberwolves was a grueling marathon that stretched to seven games. After building a 20-point lead in the second half of the decisive Game 7, Denver couldn’t hold off a fierce Minnesota comeback and ultimately saw their playoff hopes dashed. Jamal Murray’s 35-point effort in that game wasn’t enough to secure victory.
Celtics’ Path to the Finals
While Denver's postseason run ended prematurely, the Boston Celtics powered through with a 64-18 regular season record and a dominant plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff performance solidified their reputation as they impressively recorded a 16-3 run. The Celtics had a strong start against the Dallas Mavericks, winning up to Game 3, but stumbled in Game 4 with a 30-point loss. Despite this setback, Boston remained confident in their ability to clinch the series in Game 5.
The confidence in the Celtics camp was evident through the words of star forward Jayson Tatum. "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," Tatum reflected.
The Anticipation and Anxiety
The loss in Game 4 left the Celtics determined but anxious. Tatum recounts the tense hours leading up to what could be their championship-clinching 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." The nervous energy was palpable; "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum admitted.
Despite the pressure, Tatum believed in their ultimate victory. "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." His confidence paints a picture of a team that transformed anxiety into championship-winning resolve.
The Nuggets’ playoff exit highlighted the ruthless competitive nature of the NBA playoffs, while the Celtics' journey underscored the resilience and determination required to emerge victorious.