In a tightly contested NBA postseason, the Denver Nuggets' journey came to a dramatic end in the Western Conference semifinals, ousted by the Minnesota Timberwolves after a grueling Game 7. Despite facing significant challenges throughout the playoffs, the Nuggets showcased remarkable performances, particularly against formidable opponents like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
Nuggets' Regular Season Success Against Celtics
The Nuggets displayed their prowess during the regular season, particularly shining against the Boston Celtics. Denver swept the Celtics, tarnishing Boston's near-perfect home record early in the season. Denver registered a crucial victory at TD Garden on January 19, which disrupted the Celtics' 20-1 home streak.
In their second clash on March 7, the Nuggets once again emerged victorious, led by a stellar performance from Nikola Jokic. The MVP candidate delivered a remarkable 32-point triple-double, underscoring his critical role in Denver's season. Jaylen Brown of the Celtics did his best to counter with an impressive 41 points, but it was not enough to topple the resilient Nuggets.
Resilient Nuggets Overcome Lakers
Denver's playoff journey began with a tough round against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets demonstrated their tenacity, overcoming double-digit deficits in three of the five games to ultimately secure a 4-1 series victory. Their determination was exemplified by Jamal Murray, who played through calf and elbow injuries. Despite his battling spirit, Murray struggled with his shooting, hitting only 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep against the Lakers.
Heartbreaking Semifinal Against Minnesota
Progressing to the semifinals, the Nuggets faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in a series that culminated in a tense Game 7. Denver's 20-point lead in the second half of the deciding game slipped away, leading to their playoff exit. Murray's valiant 35-point effort in Game 7 was commendable but ultimately fell short as the Timberwolves seized the series.
Celtics' Playoff Path
Meanwhile, the Celtics enjoyed a dominant season, finishing with a 64-18 record and a league-leading plus-11.7 point differential. Their impressive season extended into the playoffs where they went 16-3. In the NBA Finals, Boston faced off against the Dallas Mavericks and immediately displayed their dominance by winning the first three games.
However, a surprising turn came in Game 4, where the Celtics suffered a crushing 30-point defeat. This loss left the team and star player Jayson Tatum in a state of anxious anticipation. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Tatum shared, "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." His words mirrored the confidence and resilience that carried the Celtics throughout the season.
In the aftermath of the Game 4 loss, Tatum acknowledged the pressure, stating, "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." It was clear this defeat served as a turning point for the Celtics, setting the stage for the critical Game 5 back at TD Garden.
Champion Mindset
Tatum's reflection on the day leading up to Game 5 revealed the palpable tension and high stakes felt by the team. "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 recalled. Despite the pressure, the Celtics harnessed their focus and determination to prepare for the decisive game.
As Game 5 approached, the Celtics knew they had to channel their anxiety into performance. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum confessed, highlighting the struggle to maintain composure under immense pressure. This loss, however, galvanized the Celtics' resolve. "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 stated with confidence, demonstrating the unwavering belief that ultimately carried the Celtics to championship glory.