As the dust settles on the NBA's Western Conference contest, the Denver Nuggets find themselves out of the running following their exit in the second round of the playoffs. The Minnesota Timberwolves were the team responsible for Denver's elimination in a hard-fought Game 7, where the Nuggets saw their hopes dissipate after blowing a 20-point lead in the second half. Jamal Murray’s 35-point performance in that game wasn't enough to secure a win for Denver.
A Rollercoaster Season
The Nuggets had an eventful season with some notable highs and significant lows. They managed to sweep their season series against the Boston Celtics, including a standout victory on January 19 at TD Garden that blemished Boston's perfect home record of 20-1. In their second encounter on March 7, Denver once again outshined Boston, thanks to a Herculean effort from Nikola Jokic, who recorded a 32-point triple-double, accompanied by Jaylen Brown’s 41 points for the Celtics.
The Road to the Playoffs
However, the playoff journey for the Nuggets was a grueling one right from the start. They encountered significant obstacles beginning with their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite prevailing 4-1 in the series, the Nuggets had to overcome double-digit deficits in three of those games. Jamal Murray played through the series despite injuries to his calf and elbow, contributing strained but essential performances. His shooting, unfortunately, suffered as a result, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep.
Celtics' Dominant Season
On the other side, the Boston Celtics finished their season with a remarkable 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff journey was nothing short of stellar, as they went 16-3, demonstrating their dominance throughout the season.
The Playoff Drama Unfolds
After losing Game 4 to the Dallas Mavericks by a staggering 30 points, the sense of urgency and tension in the Celtics' camp was palpable. "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," said Jayson Tatum. "I thought that we were going to play Denver in the Finals and it was going to be a good one."
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope succinctly captured the feeling in the Denver locker room: "No gas." It was a sentiment that spoke volumes about the trials the Nuggets had endured in their quest.
And Then There Were Four
With their backs against the wall, the Celtics remained confident despite the recent setbacks. "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 recounted. This belief carried into their preparations for the next encounter.
"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." Tatum continued, "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
Despite the tension and the overwhelming pressure, the Celtics managed to keep their composure. "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 concluded.
As the NBA season moves forward, both the triumphs and tribulations of the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics serve as a poignant reminder of the relentless pursuit of glory and the inevitable heartbreak that defines the sport. The story of these teams, their highs, lows, and moments of introspection, continues to captivate fans and leave an indelible mark on the season.