Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon drew praise for battling through a Grade 2 hamstring sprain to play in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gordon was clearly laboring through his injury during Game 7, but still provided a boost to the Nuggets.

The Denver Nuggets expected a lot of interim head coach David Adelman this season. After the shocking firing of Michael Malone, Adelman had just three regular-season games to prepare the Nuggets for the playoffs.

They weren't that thin for the Denver Nuggets. They were as thick as Nikola Jokić. The best player in the world had the 68-win Thunder on the ropes multiple times. Jokić outplayed presumptive MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a second-round series that went seven games but ended in an OKC blowout.

Stephen Curry missed four consecutive games in the second round due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain, contributing to the Warriors' elimination by the Timberwolves. Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles injury during the Celtics' series against the Knicks, sidelining him for Game 5 and 6.