The Denver Nuggets' journey through the NBA playoffs came to an abrupt end with an exit in the Western Conference semifinals. Their campaign, marked by dominant performances and dramatic downturns, was ultimately cut short by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a hard-fought second-round series.
The Nuggets started the playoffs strongly, sweeping their season series against the Boston Celtics. Their first victory dealt Boston their first home loss of the season, tarnishing the Celtics' perfect 20-1 home record on January 19. Denver proved their mastery again on March 7, with Nikola Jokic demonstrating his MVP-caliber skills by recording a 32-point triple-double. Jaylen Brown's valiant 41-point effort for the Celtics was not enough to prevent the Nuggets' triumph.
However, Denver's playoff path was fraught with challenges. Their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers was a grueling affair, despite the 4-1 series result. The Nuggets overcame double-digit deficits in three games, showcasing their resilience and determination. Jamal Murray, playing through injuries to his calf and elbow, exhibited commendable grit, although his shooting percentages (40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep) reflected his physical struggles.
The semifinal series against Minnesota was, by all accounts, a battlefield. The Nuggets forced a decisive Game 7 but faltered spectacularly, blowing a 20-point lead in the second half. Murray's commendable 35-point performance in Game 7 was overshadowed by the team’s overall collapse. The Timberwolves seized the opportunity and ended Denver's playoff run, extinguishing their championship hopes.
The season's narrative painted a picture of a team that faced and overcame numerous challenges. Yet, their inability to maintain consistency when it mattered most marked an Achilles' heel that Minnesota exploited with precision. The end of Denver's journey was particularly poignant given the Celtics' recognition of the threat they posed. "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," Jayson Tatum reflected. "I thought that we were going to play Denver in the Finals and it was going to be a good one."
Despite this setback, their season victories over top teams like Boston hinted at the untapped potential and resilience of the Nuggets. Denver's stunning regular-season victories over the Celtics demonstrated their ability to take down elite competition. However, the playoff crucible exposed their vulnerabilities.
The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, completed an impressive season with a 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoffs journey saw them go 16-3, marked by commanding performances and a strong start against the Dallas Mavericks in the postseason. However, a shocking 30-point loss in Game 4 against Dallas disrupted their momentum.
"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,'" Tatum recalled a pivotal moment of belief despite adversity. Even the morning shootaround before Game 4 left Tatum restless. "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' eventual Game 4 loss by 30 points could be attributed to their heightened anxiety and tightness, 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." That confidence and the determination to bounce back characterized Boston's season, underlining their resilience and mental fortitude.
As the dust settles on the playoff battles, the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics provided ample drama and unforgettable moments. For Denver, the elimination by Minnesota serves as a bitter pill but also a learning experience. The Celtics' near-flawless regular season and playoff campaign culminated in lessons of their own, both for the franchise and its fans.
The narratives from this season will likely influence future strategies and bolster the characters of both teams. With talents like Jokic and Murray for Denver, and Tatum and Brown for Boston, the league can expect more thrilling encounters ahead. Both teams have their eyes set on overcoming this season's hurdles to achieve even greater heights in the coming years.