The Denver Nuggets' playoff campaign last season ended in disappointment, as they exited earlier than expected following a second-round elimination by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Entering the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the team had high hopes of recapturing their championship-winning form from the previous year. However, those aspirations were quickly dashed.
The Nuggets' struggles were apparent throughout the playoffs, notably during their grueling series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver, who had previously swept the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals during their championship run, found themselves struggling this time around. Defensive mishaps and offensive inconsistencies plagued the Nuggets, ultimately contributing to their downfall.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of Denver's key players last season, noted the exhaustion the team faced. "You know how, towards the playoffs, guys get their rest, but I feel like that's where we spent most of our energy at times, trying to get that first place [spot in the West]. Playing catch-up. And then, we get to the playoffs, we have no gas. We felt like the Lakers should've beat us. We was down every game—at least 10 to like, 20-something…Taking that energy and using it there. It was a lot that went into that season, no doubt," he reflected.
As Caldwell-Pope explained, the Nuggets might have misallocated their energy reserves, focusing too much on securing their seeding rather than conserving strength for the grueling playoff push. This insight sheds light on some of the factors behind Denver's underwhelming postseason performance.
Injuries also played a significant role in the team's struggles. Season-ending injuries to key rotation players Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent added to the team's woes, reducing their depth and versatility. Analysts and fans pointed to a lack of timely adjustments and execution as other critical factors in Denver's failure to advance.
On the other side of the court, the Lakers benefited from stellar contributions from their stars. LeBron James averaged an impressive 27.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs, achieving career-highs with 8.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Anthony Davis was equally impactful, averaging 27.8 points, 15.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. However, the Lakers faced their own struggles with lackluster performances from Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell, compounded by Coach Darvin Ham's questionable late-game strategies that resulted in blown leads. "The nails in the Lakers' coffin were Darvin Ham's lack of adjustments and late-game execution -- which resulted in those blown leads -- as well as poor performances from anyone not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis," an attributed statement noted.
Another major storyline for the Nuggets was the offseason departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic. His exit signals a significant pivot for both him and the Nuggets, leading to questions about how Denver will retool and reposition themselves in the competitive landscape of the Western Conference.
Looking ahead, the Denver Nuggets will need to reassess their strategies and possibly make new signings to return to their championship-contending form. With key players recovering from injuries and potential new talent on the horizon, the future holds both challenges and opportunities for this storied franchise. The coming season will be critical as the Nuggets endeavor to learn from past mistakes and navigate their way back to the top.