It finally happened. After a 47-year wait that felt like a lifetime for fans in the Mile High City, the Denver Nuggets climbed to the top of the mountain. If you're asking who won 2023 NBA Finals, the answer is the Denver Nuggets, who took down the Miami Heat in a five-game series that was way more intense than the 4-1 record suggests.
Honestly, the 2023 Finals felt different. It wasn't about a super-team built through flashy free-agent signings. Instead, it was the crowning achievement of a patient, decade-long build centered around a draft pick nobody saw coming. Nikola Jokić, a guy drafted during a Taco Bell commercial, basically rewrote the record books while looking like he’d rather be back in Serbia with his horses.
How the Denver Nuggets Won 2023 NBA Finals
The Nuggets didn't just win; they dominated. They finished the postseason with a 16-4 record, which is one of the most efficient runs we've seen in the modern era. They only lost one game at home the entire playoffs. That loss came in Game 2 against Miami, a game where the Heat shot the lights out and Erik Spoelstra basically coached a masterclass to steal one in Denver.
But the Nuggets didn't blink. They went to Miami and took both games on the Heat’s home floor.
By the time Game 5 rolled around on June 12, 2023, the atmosphere in Denver was electric. But the game itself? Man, it was ugly. Denver shot a horrific 18% from the three-point line. They were missing free throws. They looked nervous. Yet, they found a way. Behind a gritty 28 points and 16 rebounds from Jokić, they ground out a 94-89 victory to seal the deal.
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The Nikola Jokić Factor
You can't talk about who won 2023 NBA Finals without talking about the Finals MVP. Jokić was unanimous. He averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists over those five games. Think about those numbers for a second. He became the first player in NBA history to lead the entire playoffs in total points, rebounds, and assists.
He didn't just beat teams; he solved them. Whether Miami threw a zone, a double-team, or Bam Adebayo at him, Jokić just found the open man or flipped in a sombor shuffle.
The Supporting Cast
Jamal Murray’s comeback was the emotional heartbeat of this team. After tearing his ACL and missing significant time, seeing him average 21.4 points and 10 assists in the Finals was incredible. He and Jokić became the first pair of teammates to ever record 30-point triple-doubles in the same game (Game 3).
And don't overlook Aaron Gordon. He was the unsung hero, especially in Game 4 where he dropped 27 points. His willingness to go from a primary scorer in Orlando to a defensive "do-it-all" guy in Denver was the final piece of the puzzle.
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What Really Happened with the Miami Heat?
The Heat were the ultimate underdog story of 2023. They were a play-in team! They were the second No. 8 seed in history to make the Finals. Jimmy Butler was "Playoff Jimmy" until the very end, but by the time they hit Denver, the gas tank was mostly empty.
Miami was dealing with injuries—Tyler Herro was out with a broken hand—and the sheer size of Denver was just too much. Bam Adebayo played his heart out, but trying to guard Jokić for 40 minutes is a nightmare for anyone.
The Heat's shooting, which had been historic against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, cooled off at the worst possible time. In the clinching Game 5, Miami shot just 34% from the floor. Jimmy Butler had a late flurry that almost stole the game, but a crucial turnover and a missed three-pointer in the final seconds ended the dream.
Key Stats from the 2023 NBA Finals
If you like the "nitty-gritty" details, here is how the series actually shook out game-by-game:
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- Game 1: Nuggets 104, Heat 93 (Denver leads 1-0)
- Game 2: Heat 111, Nuggets 108 (Series tied 1-1)
- Game 3: Nuggets 109, Heat 94 (Denver leads 2-1)
- Game 4: Nuggets 108, Heat 95 (Denver leads 3-1)
- Game 5: Nuggets 94, Heat 89 (Denver wins 4-1)
Denver's defensive rating in the Finals was surprisingly high. People always called them a "regular season offense" team, but they proved everyone wrong by locking down when it mattered most.
Why This Title Changed the League
For years, the narrative was that you couldn't win with a center as your best player in the "3-point era." Denver killed that narrative. They also proved that continuity matters. Michael Malone had been the coach since 2015. Most teams would have fired him after those early playoff exits or the years Murray was injured. Denver stayed the course.
It’s a blueprint for small-market teams. You draft well, you develop, and you wait for your window.
Actionable Insights for Basketball Fans
If you're looking back at this series to understand the current NBA landscape, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the "Two-Man Game": If you want to see the highest level of basketball IQ, go back and watch the Jokić-Murray handoffs. It's basically unguardable because both players can shoot, pass, and drive.
- Roster Construction Matters: Denver's "starting five" (Jokić, Murray, Gordon, Porter Jr., and Caldwell-Pope) was statistically the best lineup in the league. It wasn't just about stars; it was about fit.
- The "Heat Culture" is Real: Even in a loss, Miami's ability to turn undrafted players like Max Strus and Gabe Vincent into high-level starters is something every front office is now trying to copy.
The 2023 NBA Finals wasn't just a win for Denver; it was a win for a certain style of basketball. It was unselfish, high-IQ, and incredibly tough. Even though the parade is long over, the impact of that championship is still being felt across the league today.
To get a better sense of how this changed the Nuggets' future, you should look into how their bench rotation shifted the following year after losing key pieces like Bruce Brown.