As the NBA playoffs charged forward with electrifying intensity, the Denver Nuggets were eliminated after a closely contested battle. Denver's fall came at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that extinguished their hopes in the second round, culminating in a dramatic Game 7 showdown.
The journey for the Nuggets began with promise as they swept their season series against the Boston Celtics. This included a striking victory on January 19 at TD Garden, where they shattered Boston's then-impeccable home record of 20-1. Denver’s dominance continued in their second meeting on March 7, where Nikola Jokic posted a 32-point triple-double, cementing his status as a pivotal player. Despite Jaylen Brown's 41 points, the Celtics fell short once more.
However, the playoffs painted a different picture for Denver. The Nuggets faced significant hurdles right from the start, beginning with the formidable Los Angeles Lakers. Although they managed to clinch the series 4-1, it was no easy feat. Denver had to overcome double-digit deficits in three of the games, showcasing their resilience. Jamal Murray, playing through injuries to his calf and elbow, labored through the series, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep.
The semifinal clash with the Timberwolves pushed the Nuggets to their limits. Denver found themselves in a precarious position more than once, leading to an all-deciding Game 7. The Nuggets had a 20-point lead in the second half but watched it dissipate, leaving their fate teetering as Minnesota surged forward. Despite Murray's valiant effort of 35 points in Game 7, Denver could not stave off elimination.
The Celtics, on the other hand, displayed formidable prowess throughout their season, finishing with an impressive 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential. Their playoff performance was stellar, going 16-3 en route to what many fans believed was an inevitable championship run.
Boston's confidence was visibly rattled after a shocking Game 4 loss to the Dallas Mavericks by a staggering 30 points, despite leading the series 3-0. The defeat, described vividly by Jayson Tatum, encapsulated the tension within the team. "I wasn't able to sleep that night, and I remember the morning of Game 4 we had shootaround," Tatum recalled. "I had never been in the position that if we win tonight, we're champions. We were so anxious and so tight. But I knew when we were coming back home for Game 5, we were going to win."
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, reflecting on the adversity faced, succinctly captured the team's drained state: "No gas." The psychological battle of the playoffs was palpable, but Tatum's conviction remained unwavering. "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's resolve and the Celtics' collective effort saw them past the Mavericks, despite the harrowing defeat in Game 4. They anticipated a triumphant return in Game 5, where their championship aspirations remained alive and well.
The early exits and unexpected turns of these playoffs underscored the always unpredictable nature of the NBA. For the Nuggets, it was a season of highs punctuated by formidable lows, their dreams dashed in a single, heart-wrenching Game 7. Meanwhile, the Celtics' journey highlighted the mental fortitude required to chase the ultimate prize, a testament to the rigor and drama that make the NBA playoffs a spectacle like no other.