As the NBA playoffs unfolded, the Denver Nuggets' journey bore witness to exceptional highs and heartbreaking lows. Despite their season sweep against the storied Boston Celtics, Denver's quest for championship glory was ultimately cut short by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a grueling second-round series.
During the regular season, the Nuggets showcased their prowess, decisively defeating the Celtics in both encounters. A memorable victory on January 19 at TD Garden tarnished Boston's near-perfect home record, highlighting Denver's potential as a formidable contender. Nikola Jokic's spectacular performance, recording a 32-point triple-double on March 7, further solidified their dominance. However, even Jaylen Brown's impressive 41-point effort wasn't enough to counter the Nuggets’ strength.
Denver's playoff journey began against the Los Angeles Lakers, where they displayed remarkable resilience. Overcoming substantial deficits in three games, the Nuggets triumphed 4-1. Despite Jamal Murray's injuries to his calf and elbow, he fought through adversity, although his shooting percentage dipped to 40.2% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range.
The semifinal series against the Timberwolves, however, proved to be a formidable challenge. After an intense battle extending to a decisive Game 7, Denver’s hopes were dashed. The Nuggets squandered a 20-point lead in the second half, ultimately falling short despite Murray’s valiant 35-point performance.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics completed their regular season with a sterling 64-18 record and a plus-11.7 point differential, dominating throughout the playoffs with a 16-3 run. They faced the Dallas Mavericks in the finals, cruising to a 3-0 lead. However, a staggering 30-point loss in Game 4 brought an unexpected twist to the series.
Reflecting on the pivotal moments, Jayson 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."
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, in a concise yet evocative comment, summarized the sentiment: "No gas."
Tatum expressed a deep sense of anticipation and resolve amid the series intensity. "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 revealed.
As Game 4 loomed, Tatum struggled with the weight of what was at stake. "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."
Despite their eagerness, the Celtics faltered in Game 4. "We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30," Tatum recalled, a poignant testament to the psychological toll of the finals.
Yet, Tatum's confidence in their ability to rebound never wavered. "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."
In a season defined by dramatic turns and electrifying performances, the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics exemplified the relentless pursuit of greatness. The Celtics, overcoming moments of doubt and defeat, soared to a championship victory, etching their names into the annals of NBA history.