Denver Nuggets: 15 greatest playoff moments of all-time

7. Dikembe Mutombo helps force Game 7 after being down 0-3 to Jazz

• 1994 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 6
• May 19, 1994 (McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO)
• Denver Nuggets 94, Utah Jazz 91

When it comes to the Nuggets’ Mount Rushmore, it would be awfully hard to not have Dikembe Mutombo firmly on it. Not only did he provide the Nuggets faithful with one of the most iconic postseason runs in team history back in 1994, his nickname is “Mount Mutombo”. So it would be only natural that he’d make the Nuggets’ fearsome foursome of all-time.

And why wouldn’t he? Mutombo is one of the most memorable players of his era. He was an elite defensive presence throughout his lengthy NBA career. Mutombo had great stints with the Nuggets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Houston Rockets in his Hall of Fame career.

Of course, Mutombo is best known for three things: his patented finger wag after blocking a shot, his insanely deep voice and being the best player on the No. 8-seeded Nuggets that shocked the No. 1-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the 1994 NBA Playoffs.

Yes, we’ll get to the No. 8 over No. 1 in a bit, but let’s not forget about Mutombo and the Nuggets nearly bringing the Utah Jazz to the brink in the Western Conference Semifinals that postseason.

After shocking the NBA world by defeating George Karl’s SuperSonics in round one, Denver had more than its hands full to keep pace with Karl Malone, John Stockton and Jerry Sloan’s Jazz in the second round. Denver looked to be first-round wonder in the 1994 Western Conference Playoffs, as they were in a dreadful 0-3 hole through the Nuggets’ first three games versus Utah.

But in the words of Mutombo, “Not today.” Denver somehow found a way to win three in a row, despite being down 0-3 to force a Game 7 with the SuperSonics. While Malone was doing his “Mailman” things for the Jazz with his 31 points, it was Mutombo who came up big for the Nuggets in their tight, 94-91 victory at home in Game 6.

Mutombo had a team-high 23 points in Denver’s huge home victory. Though he only shot 5-of-11 from the field, the Congolese center shot a strong 13-of-18 at the free throw line for a 7-footer. He had a double-double in that ball game with 12 rebounds. He also had five blocks, three steals and two assists in this high stakes elimination game.

Though Denver would lose by 10 points in Salt Lake City in Game 7, it would be an unforgettable postseason for Mutombo and the Nuggets. He emerged as a superstar in those NBA playoffs, as the Nuggets upset the SuperSonics and then nearly overcame an 0-3 deficit to do the unthinkable and beat the Jazz.