The Denver Nuggets’ postseason journey came to a halt as they exited from the Western Conference in the NBA playoffs. Their quest for glory was cut short in the second round, where the Minnesota Timberwolves dealt the final blow, eliminating Denver in a tightly contested series.
Despite their playoff exit, the Nuggets had memorable moments during the season, particularly against the Boston Celtics. Denver swept the season series against the Celtics, including a notable victory on January 19 at the TD Garden that snapped Boston’s then-impeccable 20-1 home record. Denver triumphed again in their second meeting on March 7, with Nikola Jokic leading the charge, recording a 32-point triple-double. Jaylen Brown’s 41-point effort for the Celtics in that game was overshadowed by the Nuggets' resilience and skill.
Denver faced significant challenges right from the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets managed to secure a 4-1 series victory but had to fight tooth and nail, overcoming double-digit deficits in three games. Jamal Murray played through calf and elbow injuries, though his shooting percentages took a hit, making only 40.2% of his field goals and 31.5% from beyond the arc against the Lakers.
The semifinal series against Minnesota was a grueling test, culminating in a dramatic Game 7. Denver squandered a 20-point lead in the second half, a pivotal moment that ultimately defined their fate. Jamal Murray scored an impressive 35 points but it wasn’t enough to stave off elimination at the hands of Minnesota.
On the other side of the playoff spectrum, the Boston Celtics concluded the season with an impressive 64-18 record and a commanding plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff run was equally dominant, going 16-3 as they advanced through the rounds. In the Western Conference finals, the Celtics faced the Dallas Mavericks, cruising to a 3-0 lead before suffering a 30-point blowout loss in Game 4. Despite the setback, the Celtics' confidence remained unshaken.
“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,” reflected Jayson Tatum.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope succinctly summarized the team’s exhaustion by stating, “No gas.”
Tatum recalled a pivotal moment after the Game 4 loss: “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.' That was a weird feeling.”
Reflecting on the morning of Game 4, Tatum said, “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 team’s nerves were palpable, and as Tatum put it, “We were at shootaround, and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn’t take a nap. We lost by like 30.”
The Celtics were determined to bounce back, and Tatum was resolute about their chances going into Game 5. “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,” he asserted.
The narrative of both teams’ playoff runs showcased resilience, determination, and the stark unpredictability that defines the NBA playoffs. While the Nuggets’ journey ended earlier than hoped, the Celtics embraced their challenges and pushed towards their ultimate goal with a confidence that was unmistakable. The interplay of individual brilliance and collective willpower on display remains a vivid reminder of what makes postseason basketball so compelling.