In a highly competitive Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets enter the playoffs facing a difficult path ahead.
While sitting at the third seed reflects a strong regular season, it also puts them in line to face multiple top-seeded contenders if series outcomes go as expected.
Unlike other teams with more favorable matchups, the Nuggets’ road offers little relief. Each round brings a new challenge against teams favored to win the championship. This positions Denver as a team facing one of the most difficult paths to the NBA Finals this postseason.
If the Nuggets were to reach the Finals with favored teams advancing in each round, they would have to go through the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder before a potential matchup against the Boston Celtics.
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When just focusing on the Western Conference, many of these teams have the Nuggets’ number.
The last time Denver faced the Timberwolves in the playoffs was in 2024, when the series went to a Game 7 in the semi-finals. In Game 7, the Nuggets blew a 20-point third-quarter lead and were eliminated.
As they are currently playing in the first round, this will be a hard-fought battle between two rival teams.
Anthony Edwards was asked today at practice if he sees this to be a rivalry with Denver.
"I don't think there's anything else to call it but a rivalry… I think there's a lot of rivalries in the league now. And I think me and Denver is one of them." pic.twitter.com/gAclXjr1PH
In the second round, the Spurs are also a tough matchup, having gone 62-20 this season. They are a defensive-oriented team, with a 110.4 defensive rating, which is third in the league. Though MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama is a main factor in their success, they have a well-constructed team full of talent. The only thing they are lacking is playoff experience.
Spurs did something that you rarely see in the NBA. They flipped the game early with an 18–0 run in the first quarter. A lot of that came from San Antonio’s length and defense, forcing Charlotte into just 38.3% shooting in the half.
Meanwhile Victor Wembanyama is stuffing the… pic.twitter.com/Mu6D4jwWRE
The Nuggets went 3–1 against the Spurs this season. However, they still present a significant challenge and are the second-favorite to win the title.
If Denver makes it past San Antonio, OKC could be waiting for them.
In last year’s semi-finals against the Nuggets, the Thunder won in seven and eventually went on to win the championship.
This season, OKC is 64-18 and sitting at the top of the standings. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the MVP race yet again, the Thunder are many people’s choice to win the championship.
If the Nuggets survive the Western Conference, the challenge would not get any easier in the Finals. The Celtics would likely be waiting for them.
Though Jayson Tatum only played 16 games this season, the Celtics have a record of 56-26. A big reason for this is that Jaylen Brown has had a career year.
Jaylen Brown ended up having a CAREER YEAR this season