The Denver Nuggets have won their first-ever NBA title, recording a 94-89 win over the Miami Heat as they secured a 4-1 series victory.
Serbian star Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets to victory, garnering 28 points to end his side’s 47-year wait for the championship trophy.
After a remarkable season, the 28-year-old Jokić was named the Finals’ Most Valuable Player. This is in addition to the two overall MVPs he won in 2021 and 2022.
“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,” Jokić said following the victory.
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At the Ball Arena, Jokić also had 16 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr scored 16 points and 13 rebounds.
On their march to the NBA title, the Denver Nuggets never lost more than twice in any of their play-off series. They concluded their move towards historic success with 10 victories in their last 11 post-season games.
At the commencement of the fourth quarter, Denver trailed 71-70, and 89-88 with just under two minutes remaining, but they battled it out to take the lead with a Bruce Brown lay-up.
Miami Heat falter
Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler efforts were decent enough but could not help the Heat from avoiding defeat. The former scored 20 points while Butler recorded 21 points.
Only one of the 36 teams to have previously fallen 3-1 behind in an NBA Finals – the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 – had managed to come back to win the championship.
“It was an amazing effort by the team,” Jokić said.
“That is why basketball is a fun sport. It is a live thing, you cannot say this going to happen, there are so many factors. I’m just happy we won the game.”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone told the home supporters: “I’ve got news for everyone out there. We are not satisfied with one.”
Historic times for Serbia sports
Following Jokić’s historic achievement in the NBA, congratulations have continued poured in from all over the world.
Jokić impressed throughout the season and deservedly received the honour of being named the MVP in the Finals.
Less than 48 hours before the NBA finals, another Serbian star – in a different sport – Novak Djokovic won a record 23rd Grand Slam singles title.
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Djokovic’s success has further fuelled the debate on who the greatest Tennis player of all time is. The 36-year-old now has more Grand Slam singles titles than his closest challengers Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. And he is primed to win more.
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