The Denver Nuggets' journey in the NBA playoffs ended in the Western Conference semifinals, following a gritty second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite having swept their regular-season series against the Boston Celtics and twice tarnishing Boston's formidable home record, the Nuggets found themselves unable to advance past Minnesota.
Denver had high hopes coming into the playoffs, especially after an encouraging regular season that featured standout performances like Nikola Jokic's 32-point triple-double in their March 7 win over the Celtics. This victory was part of a season sweep against a Celtics team that finished with an impressive 64-18 record and a staggering plus-11.7 point differential.
The Nuggets' playoff run began with a first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. In this series, Denver showcased their resilience and determination, overcoming double-digit deficits in three of the games to win the series 4-1. Despite Jamal Murray's struggles with injuries to his calf and elbow, which saw him shoot only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep, the team managed to advance.
However, the semifinal series against Minnesota proved to be more challenging. The series stretched to a decisive Game 7, where Denver experienced a heartbreaking 20-point lead collapse in the second half. Despite Murray's valiant effort, scoring 35 points in Game 7, the Nuggets were unable to hold off the Timberwolves.
The Celtics, who had anticipated facing Denver in the Finals, were guided by the confidence and foresight of star player Jayson Tatum. Reflecting on the playoffs, Tatum said, "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."
While the Celtics' playoff journey had its own twists and turns, it never seemed to face the insurmountable obstacles encountered by Denver. Boston went 16-3 in the playoffs and advanced to face the Dallas Mavericks, winning up to Game 3. A surprising 30-point loss in Game 4, however, served as a wakeup call for the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum recalled the emotional rollercoaster as the team prepared for Game 4, saying, "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."
Despite this setback, Tatum remained unfazed by the loss, buoyed by his conviction that his team would eventually prevail. "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 reviewing Denver's season, it's clear the Nuggets demonstrated tremendous fortitude and skill throughout. Their ability to challenge and disrupt teams like the Celtics and Lakers, coupled with standout performances from key players like Jokic and Murray, showcased the talent and potential within the roster. Murray's persistence through injury and Jokic's consistent excellence were key highlights in a season filled with both promise and challenges.
As the teams now look to the future, the lessons learned and the experiences gained will undoubtedly shape their paths forward. The Nuggets may have exited sooner than they hoped, but their journey through the highs and lows of the playoffs left a lasting impression on the league.