The Denver Nuggets' journey in the NBA playoffs came to an abrupt halt as they were eliminated from the Western Conference by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. Despite this setback, Denver had moments of brilliance throughout the season, including sweeping their season series against the Boston Celtics with an impressive win on January 19 at TD Garden. This victory tarnished Boston's perfect home record of 20-1 at the time. The Nuggets followed it up with another triumph over the Celtics on March 7, where Nikola Jokic recorded a stunning 32-point triple-double.
The Nuggets faced significant challenges right from the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers. They managed to clinch the series 4-1, overcoming double-digit deficits in three games. Jamal Murray played through injuries to his calf and elbow, but his performance was hampered, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep against the Lakers.
The semifinal series against Minnesota was a hard-fought battle that extended to a thrilling Game 7. The Nuggets blew a 20-point lead in the second half of the decisive game but saw a resilient effort from Jamal Murray, who scored 35 points. Despite their efforts, Denver could not secure the win, leading to their eventual elimination from the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics had an exceptional season, finishing with a 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. Their dominance continued into the playoffs, where they went 16-3. The Celtics faced off against the Dallas Mavericks, winning up to Game 3 but suffering a significant 30-point loss in Game 4. However, the Celtics were confident about their chances in Game 5.
Jayson Tatum, reflecting on their playoff run, 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 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."
The anticipation and pressure were palpable as the Celtics prepared for Game 4. "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," Tatum reminisced. The anxiety took its toll as Tatum admitted, "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
Despite the loss, the Celtics remained resolute. "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 reflected. This determination proved crucial as the Celtics sought redemption and ultimately aimed for the championship.
For the Nuggets, the season was one of highs and lows, marked by their impressive victories over strong teams like the Celtics but ultimately falling short in the playoffs. As they look back on their journey, the lessons learned and the experiences gained will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors in the NBA.