The Denver Nuggets' journey through the NBA playoffs had its moments of both triumph and heartache. Their run, ultimately cut short in the Western Conference semifinals, was marked by formidable opponents and remarkable performances.
Regular Season Dominance
The Nuggets showed their prowess throughout the regular season, sweeping their encounters against the Boston Celtics. These victories were significant as the Celtics boasted an impressive home record of 20-1 before Denver spoiled it with an emphatic win on January 19 at TD Garden. In their follow-up meeting on March 7, the Nuggets triumphed once more, with Nikola Jokic leading the way with a 32-point triple-double. Despite Jaylen Brown's 41-point effort, the Celtics couldn’t overcome the Nuggets, showcasing Denver's tenacity and skill.
First Round Battle with the Lakers
Heading into the playoffs, the Nuggets faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. This series underscored Denver's resilience as they won 4-1, despite trailing by double digits in three of the games. Jamal Murray, fighting through injuries to his calf and elbow, played a crucial role even though his shooting percentages were less than stellar—40.2% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range. Murray’s determination helped the Nuggets secure an important series win.
Semifinal Showdown with Minnesota
The semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves proved to be even more challenging. It stretched to a nail-biting Game 7, where the Nuggets overcame a significant hurdle. Despite blowing a 20-point lead in the second half, Murray's phenomenal 35-point game kept their championship aspirations alive. However, Minnesota's grit proved too much to handle, and Denver's playoff run ended with that second-round exit.
The Celtics’ Championship Quest
On the other side of the league, the Boston Celtics had an outstanding season with a 64-18 record and a dominant plus-11.7 point differential. Their path through the playoffs was largely unimpeded, going 16-3. Their only hurdle came in the Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. After securing victories in the first three games, the Celtics faced a shocking 30-point defeat in Game 4.
Jayson Tatum, reflecting on the Celtics' journey, shared insights into the team's mindset. "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," Tatum said, underscoring the respect they had for the Nuggets.
As Game 4 approached, Tatum recalled the palpable tension and anticipation: "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." Despite the atmosphere of unease and urgency, the Celtics faltered, losing by a substantial margin. Tatum continued, "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."
Anticipation and Anxiety
The disappointment of Game 4 didn't diminish the Celtics' resolve. "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," Tatum reminisced, illustrating the team's unwavering belief in their ultimate victory.
Conclusion
The Denver Nuggets displayed remarkable fortitude throughout their playoff run, but it was the Celtics who ultimately claimed the championship. The journey of both teams highlighted the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the NBA playoffs, where hopes can be dashed in an instant, and legacies are built through perseverance and performance on the court.