With a 94-89 victory over the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets won the NBA championship for the first time.
With 28 points, Nikola Jokic helped his team win and break the Nuggets’ 47-year championship drought.
The 28-year-old Serb Jokic was voted the Finals’ most valuable player, giving him three in total, including the two he won in 2021 and 2022.
Jokic remarked after the triumph at Ball Arena, “We’re not in it for ourselves, we’re in it for the guy next to us, and that’s why this [means] even more.”
As the Nuggets battled to victory in game five, Jokic also provided 16 rebounds, and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 16 points and 13 boards.
The Nuggets finished their march towards a historic triumph with 10 victories in their final 11 postseason games, never losing more than twice in any of their playoff series.
Denver fell down 71-70 to begin the fourth quarter and 89-88 with just under two minutes left, but the home team would not be stopped as Bruce Brown’s lay-up put them in the lead.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo both scored 21 points for Miami, but they were unable to sustain their team’s slim chances of a comeback.
Only one of the 36 teams who fell behind 3-1 in an NBA Finals before, the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, had been able to rally and claim the title.
The team put in an incredible effort, according to Jokic.
Due to the fact that it is a live event and that there are numerous variables, basketball is a fun sport.
“I’m just happy that we won the game.”
Michael Malone, the Nuggets’ head coach, announced to the home crowd, “I’ve got news for everyone out there. One is not enough for us.
It follows the Los Angeles Rams winning the NFL Super Bowl, the Colorado Avalanche winning the NHL Stanley Cup, and the Colorado Mammoth winning the National Lacrosse League Cup as the fourth major North American sports championship for owner Stan Kroenke, who also owns Premier League club Arsenal, in the last two years.
Stan Kroenke, owner of the Denver Nuggets, lifts the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Stan Kroenke, owner of the Denver Nuggets, raised the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Denver Nuggets rejoice after winning.
As he exits the court, Nikola Jokic gives the audience the thumbs up.
For the first time ever, Nikola Jokic led the NBA playoffs in points, rebounds, and assists.
After winning the NBA championship, the Denver Nuggets take a team photo.
