The Denver Nuggets faced a challenging journey in this year's NBA playoffs, ultimately falling short of their championship aspirations. Despite early season victories, the playoffs proved unforgiving for Denver.
Regular Season Dominance
The Nuggets had an impressive regular season, sweeping their series against the Boston Celtics. Their first clash on January 19 at TD Garden stood out, where they handed Boston their first home loss after a 20-1 streak. In their second meeting on March 7, Denver triumphed again, bolstered by Nikola Jokic's 32-point triple-double. Despite a stellar 41-point effort from Jaylen Brown, the Celtics couldn't outmatch Jokic's performance.
Playoffs Begin Against the Lakers
As the playoffs commenced, the Nuggets faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Denver emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win, overcoming double-digit deficits in three of the games. Jamal Murray's perseverance was notable as he played through calf and elbow injuries, albeit with a lower shooting efficiency of 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep.
The semifinals brought greater challenges, pitting Denver against the resilient Minnesota Timberwolves. This grueling series extended to Game 7, where the Nuggets blew a 20-point lead in the second half. Despite a valiant 35-point effort from Murray, Denver was ultimately ousted from the playoffs.
Boston Celtics' Path to the Finals
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics showcased dominance throughout the season, finishing with a 64-18 record and an impressive plus-11.7 point differential. They continued their momentum into the playoffs, boasting a 16-3 run. The Celtics clinched victories in the first three games against the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals.
However, in Game 4, a major setback occurred as Boston suffered a crushing 30-point loss. Reflecting on this period, 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."
Determination Amid Adversity
Despite their Game 4 loss, the Celtics were undeterred. Tatum shared the team’s resolute belief: "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 continued, "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 desire to win was palpable, as Tatum noted, "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
Looming Victory in Game 5
Despite the anxiety and tightness post-Game 4 loss, the Celtics returned home with renewed focus for Game 5. Tatum’s confidence remained steadfast. "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." The collective determination of the team set the stage for an anticipated championship victory.
In conclusion, the Denver Nuggets battled through a rollercoaster of a season filled with both high points and crushing defeats, while the Boston Celtics navigated through their playoff challenges with unwavering resolve. Both teams demonstrated remarkable resilience, contributing to an unforgettable NBA season.