The road to gold is now complete.
The Denver Nuggets emerged victorious in Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals over the Miami Heat, 94-89, to capture their first-ever championship in history.
The entire rubber match was a slugfest and a defensive display, as both teams shot lower than 46 percent from the field. Despite a 45.2 percent mark with a horrifying 17.9 percent shooting from threes, the Nuggets were able to fulfill their dream season in front of their crazy, loyal fanbase in Ball Arena.
Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with his consistent 26 points to go with 14 boards and four assists in 42 minutes. He was named the series’ Finals MVP, becoming the first center to do it since Shaquille O’Neal back in the 2001-02 season.
After an abrasive series for him, Michael Porter Jr. responded as he dropped 16 points and pulled 13 boards for Denver. Jamal Murray, who went emotional as the buzzer sounded, chipped in 14 points, eight boards, and eight assists.
For the Heat, Jimmy Butler had 21 points in an uncharacteristic 5-of-18 shooting, but he carried his squad on his back in a losing effort during crunch time. Bam Adebayo registered 20 markers and 12 rebounds.
The Nuggets wrapped up the series in a thrilling fashion, as the Heat didn’t quit and have shown no signs of retreat. Both clubs traded buckets down the stretch as the game was still 90-89 favoring Denver with 27.1 seconds left, but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s steal over Jimmy Butler ultimately sealed the deal for the Nuggets.
Caldwell-Pope dropped two free throws following the foul. On the next play, Butler missed his three-point shot, forcing them to foul Bruce Brown who then put the finishing touches for the Mile High City in the charity stripe.
Denver finally captured their first NBA title and it’s been 47 years in the making. After two previous years of shortcomings and struggling through injuries, they are now at the top of the basketball world. Their 16-4 postseason run stands as the second-best postseason win-loss record by a championship team in the last 15 years, trailing just the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors (16-1).
A fairy tale journey for Miami, but it came down to a painful conclusion. As such, they will head home with their heads held high after an inspiringly historic postseason run as a marvelous eighth-seeded club.
