Honestly, if you were watching the NBA back in June 2023, you saw something that felt like a long time coming, yet totally surreal. The Denver Nuggets finally did it. After 47 years of waiting, 47 years of "maybe next year," they hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. They basically dismantled the Miami Heat in five games, finishing the series 4-1 on a frantic, ugly, and beautiful Monday night in Denver.
Who won the NBA championship in 2023? The Nuggets. But the "how" is way more interesting than the "who."
The Night Denver Touched the Sky
Game 5 was a total slugfest. You’ve probably seen high-scoring NBA games where everyone is hitting threes like it’s a layup line. This wasn't that. It was messy. The Nuggets shot a miserable 18% from the three-point line. You read that right. 18 percent! Usually, that’s a recipe for a blowout loss. But the Nuggets found another gear.
Nikola Jokic—the man everyone calls "The Joker"—put up 28 points and 16 rebounds while looking like he was just out for a casual stroll. He didn't care about the stats. He just wanted to go home to his horses in Serbia. When the buzzer finally sounded on that 94-89 victory, the relief in the Ball Arena was thick enough to cut with a knife.
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Why the 2023 Finals Were Historic
- The First Timer Club: This was Denver's first-ever NBA title. They were the last of the four original ABA-merger teams to even reach the Finals.
- Jokic’s Stat Sheet: He became the first player in history to lead the entire playoffs in total points (600), rebounds (269), and assists (190). That's just absurd.
- The 8-Seed Miracle: We have to give props to the Miami Heat. They were an 8-seed that fought through the Play-In tournament, knocked out the top-seeded Bucks, and clawed their way to the Finals. They ran out of gas, but man, what a run.
How the Nuggets Built a Champion
You don't just wake up and win a ring. This was years of Michael Malone, the head coach, preaching a "culture" that actually meant something. They didn't trade for a disgruntled superstar. They drafted Jokic in the second round—famously during a Taco Bell commercial. They stuck by Jamal Murray through a devastating ACL injury that kept him out for over a year.
By the time the 2022-23 season rolled around, the pieces just fit. Aaron Gordon stopped trying to be "the guy" and became the ultimate "glue guy," defending the best players in the world and catching lobs. Michael Porter Jr. overcame three back surgeries to become a lethal shooter.
The Path Through the West
It wasn't a fluke. Look at who they beat to get there:
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- Minnesota Timberwolves: Handled them in five.
- Phoenix Suns: A tough six-game series where Jokic had to drop 53 in a game they actually lost.
- Los Angeles Lakers: A clean sweep. 4-0. Sending LeBron James into a summer of retirement rumors.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2023 Finals
Some critics say the Nuggets had an "easy" path because they played an 8-seed in the Finals. That's kinda disrespectful to the Heat, honestly. Miami beat the Celtics and the Bucks—the two favorites in the East. You can only play who is in front of you.
Also, people forget how close Game 2 was. Miami actually won that game in Denver, stealing home-court advantage. For a second there, the "Heat Culture" talk was getting very loud. But then Game 3 happened in Miami. Christian Braun, a rookie at the time, came off the bench and looked like a seasoned vet, scoring 15 points and helping Denver snatch the momentum back.
The Joker’s Unique Legacy
Nikola Jokic winning Finals MVP as a second-round pick changed the scouting math for a lot of teams. He’s not the fastest. He doesn't jump the highest. But his IQ is off the charts. Watching him and Jamal Murray run a two-man game is like watching two master musicians who don't even need to look at each other to know the next note. In Game 3, they both had 30-point triple-doubles. Nobody had ever done that in the same game, regular season or playoffs. Ever.
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What Happened After the Buzzer?
If you want to understand the 2023 Nuggets, look at the trophy presentation. Most stars are crying or screaming. Jokic was looking for his daughter and shaking hands with the Heat players. He famously said, "The job is done, we can go home now." It was the most "Jokic" thing possible.
But for the city of Denver, it was everything. The parade featured a fire truck, a lot of beer, and Coach Malone wearing a shirt that said "Put that in your pipe and smoke it." It was the culmination of a 53-29 regular season and a dominant 16-4 playoff run.
Takeaway Insights for Basketball Fans
- Patience Wins: Small-market teams can win if they draft well and stay patient with their core.
- Versatility is King: The Nuggets won Game 5 with defense and grit, not just the flashy offense they were known for.
- The "Big Man" isn't Dead: Jokic proved a center can still be the best playmaker on a championship team.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the stats, check out the official NBA 2023 Finals Summary. You'll see that while the stars got the headlines, guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown were the ones making the "winning plays" that don't always show up in a box score.
To truly appreciate what happened, you should watch the full highlights of Game 3. It was the moment everyone realized the Heat didn't have an answer for the Jokic-Murray connection. From there, the outcome felt inevitable.
Go back and watch how the Nuggets moved the ball. It’s a masterclass in selfless basketball. That’s the real reason they won the NBA championship in 2023. They weren't just a collection of talent; they were a team in the truest sense of the word.