The Denver Nuggets' journey through the Western Conference in this season's NBA playoffs was a rollercoaster of triumphs and tribulations. Denver displayed dominance during the regular season, managing to sweep the Boston Celtics and inflict the first home loss on Boston's nearly perfect record. However, their playoff run came to an abrupt end at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in a dramatic second-round series.
Minnesota's elimination of Denver was a pivotal moment in the playoffs, shaking up expectations and reshaping the path to the finals. Denver had previously dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers with a 4-1 series victory, demonstrating resilience by overcoming double-digit deficits in three games. This resilience was personified by Jamal Murray, who played through calf and elbow injuries, though his shooting percentages were suboptimal, hitting just 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from beyond the arc.
The semifinal series against the Timberwolves was a grueling battle, pushing both teams to their limits and culminating in a decisive Game 7. Despite a 20-point lead in the second half, the Nuggets couldn't hold off Minnesota's comeback. Jamal Murray, in a valiant effort, scored 35 points, yet it wasn't enough to secure Denver a spot in the conference finals.
Denver's Season Highlights
During the regular season, Denver had notable victories against the Boston Celtics. They tarnished Boston's pristine home record on January 19 with a significant win at TD Garden, then followed up with another victory on March 7, where Nikola Jokic shone with a 32-point triple-double. Jaylen Brown’s stellar performance for the Celtics, scoring 41 points in the second meeting, was unable to turn the tide against the Nuggets.
Anxious Anticipations in Boston
Boston maintained an impressive 64-18 record, steamrolling through the playoffs with a 16-3 run. As the Celtics clashed with the Dallas Mavericks, they secured wins up to Game 3 but faltered significantly in Game 4, losing by a staggering 30 points. This loss created a palpable tension within the team. Jayson Tatum candidly shared his pre-Game 4 sentiments: “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's reflection on the atmosphere before Game 4 offers a window into the high-pressure environment athletes endure at the pinnacle of their sport. “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 added, highlighting the deep-seated confidence among the Celtics despite the turmoil.
The Turning Point: Minnesota vs. Denver
The turning point for Tatum and the Celtics seemed to be Denver’s second-round exit. As Tatum elaborated, “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.” This sentiment underscores the critical impact of Denver's elimination on the Celtics' championship mindset.
Similarly affected was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who succinctly summed up the situation with, “No gas,” reflecting perhaps the fatigue and exhaustion that had set in for the Nuggets by the series' end.
In a broader context, the Nuggets’ playoff journey, marked by significant victories, remarkable personal performances like Jokic’s triple-double, and the fierce battles fought by Murray, reflects the competitive spirit and unpredictability of the NBA playoffs. Each game, each series, builds the narrative of triumph and heartbreak that keeps fans and players on the edge.
As the Celtics march back for Game 5 with renewed vigor, the echoes of Denver’s season resonate throughout the league, highlighting the relentless pursuit of championship glory that defines the NBA landscape.