The Denver Nuggets’ Playoff Journey and the Celtics' Championship Run
The Denver Nuggets' quest for an NBA Championship was derailed this season when they were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals. Denver's journey through the playoffs was anything but smooth, ultimately culminating in a heart-wrenching Game 7 loss to Minnesota, despite valiant efforts and standout performances.
Denver’s Encounter with the Celtics
The Nuggets had shown significant promise throughout the season. They dominated their regular-season series against the Boston Celtics, even handing the Celtics their first home loss on January 19, snapping Boston's then-perfect 20-1 record at TD Garden. In their second meeting on March 7, Nikola Jokic led an impressive charge, recording a 32-point triple-double, overshadowing Jaylen Brown's 41-point effort for Boston. These victories over the Celtics underscored Denver’s potential and hinted at their ability to compete with the league’s best.
Standout Performances in First Round
The Nuggets began the playoffs with a strong performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. They overcame double-digit deficits in three of the five games and clinched the series 4-1. Jamal Murray, despite grappling with a calf injury and an elbow issue, played a crucial role. However, his shooting percentages—40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep—reflected the physical toll those injuries took on his performance.
The Semifinal Struggles
The semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves proved to be a far greater challenge. The series stretched to a decisive Game 7, where the Nuggets found themselves in a commanding position, leading by 20 points in the second half. However, they could not sustain that momentum and ultimately saw their advantage evaporate. Jamal Murray put forth a stellar performance with 35 points in Game 7, but it was not enough to secure victory for Denver.
Boston Celtics' Championship Quest
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics were on a championship quest of their own. Finishing the regular season with an impressive 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential, the Celtics showcased their dominance. Their playoff run was equally impressive, with a 16-3 record leading up to their finals clash with the Dallas Mavericks.
In the finals, Boston appeared poised for a sweep after winning up to Game 3 against Dallas. However, Game 4 proved to be a significant stumbling block, as the Celtics suffered a devastating 30-point loss. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Jayson Tatum shared his thoughts, "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." He added, "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."
The Morning of Game 4
The Celtics' anticipation for Game 4 was palpable. Jayson Tatum described the atmosphere, 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." The weight of the moment had clearly impacted the team, leading to an uncharacteristic performance.
Bouncing Back in Game 5
Despite the blowout loss in Game 4, Boston's confidence remained unshaken. Tatum recounted, "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." That belief set the stage for a comeback, highlighting the team's resilience and determination.