The Denver Nuggets experienced mixed fortunes during this NBA season, marked by high points against top teams and crushing blows that derailed their championship hopes. Despite showing remarkable promise, their journey ended in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Denver's season was a tale of contrasts. The team exhibited exemplary prowess during the regular season, famously sweeping their series against the Boston Celtics. Their victory on January 19 at Boston’s TD Garden was particularly memorable, as it broke the Celtics' then-perfect home record of 20-1. Their dominance continued in a second meeting on March 7, where Nikola Jokic shone with a 32-point triple-double amid Jaylen Brown's valiant 41-point effort for Boston.
However, the playoffs presented a different challenge. Despite dispatching the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the first round, overcoming double-digit deficits in three of the games, and showing resilience through significant injuries, the Nuggets hit a roadblock against the Timberwolves. Point guard Jamal Murray played through notable injuries to his calf and elbow but managed only a 40.2% shooting rate from the field and 31.5% from deep against the Lakers. His perseverance, though, was a symbol of the team's tenacity.
As Denver faced the Timberwolves in the second round, the stakes rose even higher. The series stretched to a dramatic Game 7, where Denver seemed on the verge of triumph with a 20-point lead in the second half. However, they ultimately squandered that advantage, falling to Minnesota and seeing their championship dreams dashed. Jamal Murray's 35 points in Game 7, despite his ongoing injuries, underscored his and the team's fighting spirit, albeit in a valiant but lost cause.
Reflecting on the Celtics' season, Boston ended strong in the regular season with a commanding 64-18 record and a notable plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff journey was equally formidable, achieving a 16-3 record up to the Western Conference finals. After surging to a Game 3 victory against the Dallas Mavericks, they faltered in Game 4, succumbing to a shocking 30-point defeat. However, the team's resilience always shone through.
"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," reflected Jayson Tatum, highlighting the respect and anticipation the Celtics had for a potential showdown with the Nuggets.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope succinctly summed up the Nuggets' playoff exit with, "No gas," a candid admission of the team's exhaustion by the critical stages of the playoffs. This sentiment was echoed by Tatum, who recounted the intensity and anxiety that permeated the Celtics' locker room following their Game 4 loss to Dallas. "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 recalled.
The nerve-wracking lead-up to Game 4 left a palpable tension among the Celtics. Tatum described the restless atmosphere before the pivotal clash: "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." This tension translated into an uncharacteristic performance on the court. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum said, giving insight into the psychological pressure faced by the team.
Despite the setback, the Celtics remained undeterred, turning their focus and determination towards the next opportunity. "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 shared, capturing the unwavering belief that fueled their championship drive.
The season for the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics was one of highs and lows, characterized by moments of brilliance and periods of intense struggle. Both teams showcased their potential and left a lasting impression, but only one could ultimately emerge victorious.