C.J. McCollum ends Denver's season in Game 7

Just like that, it’s over. The Nuggets’ dream season ended Sunday afternoon at Pepsi Center at the hands of C.J. McCollum.

McCollum finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and nine assists as the Trail Blazers won 100-96.

The Nuggets got out to a 29-17 lead but in typical Game 7 fashion, Portland worked itself back into the game behind McCollum. Denver led by nine at the half but just one heading to the fourth. In typical Game 7 fashion, both team trading baskets for the rest of regulation.

Just as the Trail Blazers looked to ice their Game 7 win, the Nuggets came back from the dead. Trailing by three with under a minute to go, Jamal Murray’s foul-line jumper got the Nuggets back to within one. McCollum drained another jumper moments later. The Blazers fouled Nikola Jokic up three on Denver’s next possessions and the Nuggets’ All-Star split his free-throws. Evan Turner was fouled once Portland got the ball back and the forward swished both of his attempts to push the Trail Blazers’ advantage to four with eight seconds remaining.

Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Murray added 17 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Damian Lillard was quiet in Game 7, finishing with just 13 points on 3 of 17 shooting.