In a dramatic and challenging NBA postseason, the Denver Nuggets faced significant adversities, experiencing both high points and crushing disappointments. Despite a promising outset, their journey ended abruptly in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nuggets' elimination came after a nail-biting Game 7, which saw them squander a comfortable 20-point second-half lead. Jamal Murray's valiant effort stood out, as he scored a commendable 35 points, but it wasn't enough to secure their advancement.
A Season of Peaks and Valleys
Denver's regular season featured notable victories, including sweeping the season series against the Boston Celtics. This included a striking win on January 19 at TD Garden, enough to tarnish Boston’s impressive home record of 20-1. In their second meeting on March 7, Nikola Jokic delivered a stellar 32-point triple-double, further asserting Denver's supremacy over the Celtics, despite Jaylen Brown's 41-point performance for Boston.
Overcoming Initial Challenges
The Nuggets' postseason journey began with a showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers. Though the Lakers presented a formidable challenge, Denver triumphed with a 4-1 series victory. The team's resilience was on full display as they overcame double-digit deficits in three of the games. Jamal Murray, battling injuries to his calf and elbow, managed to play through the pain, though his shooting percentages—40.2% from the field and 31.5% from deep—were less than ideal.
The Semifinal Struggle
Against Minnesota, the Nuggets faced a tougher test. The series extended to Game 7, where Denver's hopes crumbled under pressure. Despite the strong showing from Murray, the blown 20-point lead highlighted the team’s vulnerabilities. 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."
Celtics' Dominant Season
Meanwhile, Boston's season trajectory was nothing short of exemplary. The Celtics finished with a league-best 64-18 record and advanced to the NBA Finals with a 16-3 playoff record. Their dominance included a commanding performance against the Dallas Mavericks, winning up to Game 3 before suffering a surprising 30-point blowout loss in Game 4.
The loss shook Boston but did not derail their championship aspirations. Reflecting on that moment, Jayson Tatum recalled, "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. We were at shootaround and everybody was trying to act normal. I couldn't take a nap. We lost by like 30."
Boston's Redemption
Despite the setback, the Celtics’ resolve was unshaken. Tatum shared, "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." This confidence bore fruit as Boston rallied to secure the championship, validating Tatum's confidence and expectations.
A Season of "What Ifs" for Denver
The Nuggets' 2022-2023 season, though promising, ended with reflections on missed opportunities and untapped potential. Denver's ability to sweep their season series against Boston hinted at what could have been a thrilling NBA Finals, a sentiment echoed by Tatum. Yet, for Denver, the focus now shifts to addressing key weaknesses and building resilience for the next championship run.
As Kentavious Caldwell-Pope succinctly put it, the Nuggets were left with "no gas" by the end of their postseason run, a stark reminder of the endurance and consistency required to reach and sustain success in the NBA. The lessons from this season will undoubtedly fuel Denver's aspirations as they aim to rise above in the coming years.