The Denver Nuggets faced a rollercoaster ride in the NBA playoffs, ultimately bowing out in the Western Conference semi-finals. Their journey was marked by high expectations, significant challenges, and memorable performances, particularly their season domination over the Boston Celtics and their intense matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
In their regular season meetings, the Nuggets swept the Celtics with authority. Their first clash on January 19 at TD Garden saw Denver spoil Boston's previously perfect 20-1 home record. The Nuggets followed up with another victory on March 7, buoyed by a stellar 32-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic. Despite Jaylen Brown's impressive 41-point effort for the Celtics in that second meeting, Denver emerged victorious once more.
However, the playoffs proved a different beast. Denver's first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers tested their resilience. Despite overcoming double-digit deficits in three games, the Nuggets managed to defeat the Lakers 4-1. Jamal Murray's performance was a testament to his perseverance, playing through injuries to his calf and elbow, although he struggled with his shooting efficiency, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep.
The second-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves was grueling. The series extended to a decisive Game 7, where Denver squandered a 20-point second-half lead, ultimately falling to the Timberwolves. Even with Jamal Murray's 35-point effort in that game, the Nuggets could not secure the win.
For the Celtics, the playoffs were a showcase of dominance. Finishing the season with an impressive 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential, they excelled in the postseason with a 16-3 run. They marched past the Dallas Mavericks, winning the first three games before suffering a surprising 30-point defeat in Game 4.
Reflecting on the playoffs, Celtics' star 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."
Tatum recalled the anxiety leading up to a potential championship clincher. "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." He described the sleepless night and the tension-filled shootaround before 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. We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
Despite the Game 4 blowout, Tatum remained optimistic about their chances in 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." His belief underscores the confidence and determination that defined the Celtics throughout their playoff run.
The narrative of the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics in the playoffs underscores the unpredictable nature of sports. While the Nuggets showcased moments of brilliance and resilience, their journey was cut short by formidable opponents. The Celtics, on the other hand, navigated their path with unwavering focus and emerged with their sights set firmly on championship glory. The juxtaposition of these experiences highlights the highs and lows that make the NBA playoffs a captivating spectacle.