Denver Nuggets' Playoff Journey Ends in Heartbreak
The Denver Nuggets' roller-coaster of an NBA season came to a halt in the Western Conference playoffs, where the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated them in the grueling second round. After a season full of high points, the exit left a bittersweet taste for the team and their fans.
The Nuggets held high expectations, especially after sweeping their season series against the Boston Celtics. One of their crowning moments came with a victory on January 19 at TD Garden, tarnishing Boston's then-perfect home record of 20-1. They repeated this feat on March 7, bolstered by a stellar 32-point triple-double performance from Nikola Jokic. Jaylen Brown’s 41-point effort was impressive, but not enough to stop a determined Denver.
In the first round of the playoffs, Denver faced significant obstacles right out of the gate against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the challenges, the Nuggets proved their mettle by defeating the Lakers 4-1. Remarkably, they overcame double-digit deficits in three of those games, showcasing their resilience. Jamal Murray played through injuries to his calf and elbow, even though his shooting percentages were notably below his regular season stats – hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from beyond the arc.
The semifinal series against Minnesota was a nail-biter, extending to a decisive Game 7. Denver, who had already demonstrated their ability to rally, blew a 20-point lead in the second half, a turning point that led to their eventual elimination. Despite the setback, Jamal Murray put up a valiant effort, scoring 35 points in the final game.
The Minnesota loss not only ended Denver's campaign but also created a ripple of confidence in Boston's camp. Reflecting on the playoffs, Jayson Tatum recalled, "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."
Boston had its own dramatic playoff arc, finishing the regular season with an impressive 64-18 record and a formidable plus-11.7 point differential. They marched through the playoffs with a 16-3 record, coming up against the Dallas Mavericks in the later stages.
The series against Dallas had its own storylines and tensions, particularly after Boston lost Game 4 by a staggering 30 points. Tatum recalled the emotional roller-coaster, "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."
His feelings of unease persisted into Game 4. "I wasn’t able to sleep that night," he admitted. "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 tension finally broke for Tatum and his teammates after that disheartening loss. "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 remembered.
While Boston's journey was ultimately a tale of triumph, Denver's exit highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NBA playoffs. The Nuggets' season was a blend of incredible highs and heart-wrenching lows, ending in a disappointment that will fuel their drive for future success. For now, the memories of their season, punctuated by key victories and standout performances, remain etched in the minds of players and fans alike.