The Denver Nuggets' journey in this NBA season was a rollercoaster marked by high-stakes performances and significant challenges. Exiting from the Western Conference in the NBA playoffs, the Nuggets suffered elimination at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs. The series against Minnesota stretched to a nail-biting Game 7, where Denver blew a 20-point lead in the second half, despite Jamal Murray's impressive 35-point performance.
Denver's Road to the Playoffs
The Denver Nuggets had shown formidable strength during the regular season, notably sweeping their season series against the Boston Celtics. An impressive victory on January 19 at TD Garden handed the Celtics their first home loss of the season, tarnishing a then-perfect record of 20-1. The Nuggets triumphed again in their second meeting on March 7, with Nikola Jokic recording a 32-point triple-double and Jaylen Brown putting up a valiant 41-point effort for the Celtics.
In the first round of the playoffs, Denver faced the Los Angeles Lakers and overcame significant obstacles. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 4-1, overcoming double-digit deficits in three of those games. Jamal Murray, battling injuries to his calf and elbow, played through the pain but only managed to hit 40.2% of his shots from the field and 31.5% from beyond the arc against the Lakers. Despite his struggles, the team persevered and advanced further in the playoffs.
Jamal Murray’s Resilience
Murray's resilience became a focal point throughout Denver's playoff run. His determination to compete despite his injuries underscored the team's resolve. Unfortunately, the marathon series against Minnesota took its toll, leading to a dramatic fall from grace in Game 7. The 20-point lead that evaporated in the second half was a gut-wrenching end to what had been a hopeful postseason for the Nuggets.
The Denver-Boston Dynamic
Throughout the season, Denver had managed to position itself as a challenging opponent for top teams like the Celtics. Boston, finishing their season with a remarkable 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential, noted the difficulty posed by Denver. Despite their regular season success, when asked about a potential Finals matchup, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics remarked, "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."
The Celtics’ Own Battles
The Celtics, whose playoff journey included a 16-3 record, faced their stresses in the series against the Dallas Mavericks. After cruising through the first three games, they suffered a surprising 30-point loss in Game 4. Jayson Tatum recalled the pressure of 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."
The high stakes of the postseason often bring unmatched pressure. Tatum added, "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," highlighting the mental strain the team endured before their significant loss. Yet, the team remained confident in bouncing back. "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 reminisced.
Denver's Season in Retrospect
For the Denver Nuggets, this season showcased their potential and the areas requiring improvement. Despite their second-round exit, the team demonstrated resilience, skill, and a competitive spirit that bodes well for future seasons. They held their own against powerhouses like the Celtics, indicating their capability to compete at the highest levels.
"No gas," remarked Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, perhaps succinctly summarizing the exhaustion and challenges faced by the Nuggets as their playoff run came to an end. Their journey might not have concluded with a championship, but the Nuggets have laid a foundation that could propel them to future success.