Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets flexes as Nikola Jokic (15) and Jamal Murray (27) look on like proud parents upon seeing their son posterize an opponent during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets passes to Michael Porter Jr. (1) as Jimmy Butler (22) and Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat defend during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets gestures after scoring a three point basket against the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 1, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Dillon Henritze, center, and other members of the Skyline Drumline, perform for fans arriving at Ball Arena for Game 1 of the NBA Finals at on June 1, 2023 in Denver. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
- Rocky, the Nuggets mascot, tries to rally up the crowd as he sends small toy basketballs to fans cheering the loudest outside of Ball Arena for fans arriving for Game 1 of the NBA Finals at on June 1, 2023 in Denver. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
- Nuggets fans Argy Maniatis, left, and her sons Peter, 11, and Demetri, 13, pose for photos with props at a photo booth set up outside of Ball Arena for fans arriving for Game 1 of the NBA Finals at on June 1, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat for the finals. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
- Nuggets fans Timmale Maleman Dotson poses for photos with his large Nuggets props at a photo booth set up outside of Ball Arena for fans arriving for Game 1 of the NBA Finals at on June 1, 2023, in Denver. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
- Denver Nuggets fan Ridge Weaver sports a Joker costume before the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Mladen Brdarski, left, and Marko Mandic from Serbia hold the Serbian flag to cheer Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets before Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets leads his team onto the court before the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets is introduced before the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets is introduced before the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets prepares before the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat takes the court against the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Denver Nuggets fans cheer before Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- The Denver Nuggets line up for the National Anthem before Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets tips off against Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets slam dunks over Max Strus (31) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets hits a three point basket against Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball against Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets slam dunks against the Miami Heat in the first quarter during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets and Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat crash to the floor in the first quarter during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. Murray was called for a foul on the play. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone directs traffic in the second half of game one of the NBA Finals againt the Maimi Heat at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets shoots and scores two and gets fouled by Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets blocks a three-point attempt by Max Strus (31) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal speaks with NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning before the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton works the court side social scene during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Justin Simmons await Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 104-93 win over the Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets blocks the shot of Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat during 2nd half of NBA finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets works against Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets holds his form after making a bucket against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Miami Heat in the second half during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets fouled by Cody Zeller (44) of the Miami Heat during 2nd half of NBA finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) and Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets mob Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets bodies Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat as Bam Adebayo (13) guards Nikola Jokic (15) during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Denver Nuggets head coach, center, during a time out in the third quarter during game one of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- A Denver Nuggets fan celebrates a three pointer from Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter against the Miami Heat during game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets denies Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets receives a pass in front of Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat and teammates huddle in a timeout during 2nd half of NBA Finals Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets defends an inbound pass by Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets defends Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets operates against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets dunks against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to being fouled against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets and Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat fight for a rebound during the second quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat during the third quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates scoring against the Miami Heat during the third quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Denver Nuggets fans celebrate winning of NBA finals game 1 against Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets is interviewed after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 104-93 win over the Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic (15) take a timeout against the Miami Heat during the third quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets, left, greets Jamal Murray (27) after defeating the Miami Heat 104-93 winning game one of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena June 01, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets leaves the floor after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 104-93 win over the Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets flexes as Nikola Jokic (15) and Jamal Murray (27) look on like proud parents upon seeing their son posterize an opponent during the first quarter of the NBA Finals game 1 against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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By Mike Singer | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Nikola Jokic turned his back and went to work like he’d done a thousand times already this magical season. His buttery, turnaround jumper, within spitting distance of Miami’s bench, ended the drama late Thursday night.
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