Five-year-old Averyee Maduro of Aurora is excited to attend his first Nugget抖阴ap game for Game 5 of the NBA Finals agains the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Victor Parra came from Mexico to try to get a ticket for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. Parra stands outside the arena on his phone trying to finds a ticket. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver resident Max Paulson, 25, grabs a drink before Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Denver Nuggets versus the Miami Heat at Tom鈥檚 Watch Bar in Denver, Colo., on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans wait in line to enter Tom鈥檚 Watch Bar before Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Nuggets versus the Miami Heat in Denver, Colo., on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans react to action during Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Nuggets versus the Miami Heat at Tom鈥檚 Watch Bar in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Myrna Leasher, 83, a lifelong Denver Nuggets fan who has waited for the NBA Finals since 1975, is ready for the game in Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. She has been to a Nuggets game every season she has been a fan. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans cheer before Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Nuggets versus the Miami Heat at Tom鈥檚 Watch Bar in Denver, Colo., on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Young Denver Nuggets fan Liam Rand sports a Nuggets poster while walking to his seat with his did before the Denver Nuggets play the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Basketball fans head up the escalator to watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals as the Denver Nuggets host the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Moises Rodriguez cheers for the Denver Nuggets ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during introductions before Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
The Denver Nuggets warm up before Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Introduction of Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver onJune 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets stands for the National Anthem before the first quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats sing the National Anthem before the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets hypes up the team before Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat shoots over DeAndre Jordan (6) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a basket amid Miami Heat defense in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works against Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DeAndre Jordan (6) of the Denver Nuggets blocks Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat drives against Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a call in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat makes a shot past Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets works against Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
The Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) and Jeff Green (32) of the Denver Nuggets take a moment after a play in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets slam dunks in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat works against Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works against Bam Adebayo (13) and Max Strus (31) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kyle Lowry (7) of the Miami Heat picks up a rebound in the first quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets hangs on the rim in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets scores against Kevin Love (42) of the Miami Heat in the second quarter in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans watch their favorite player Nikola Jokic play in Game 5 of the NBA Finals during a watch party at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church in Lakewood on June 12, 2023. The church hosted a watch party for people in their community. From left to right are Gvozden Petrovic, 13, his brother Jovan, 15, friend Stefan Radisa, 14, Milan Petrovic, 12, his older brother Ognjen, 16, and friend Noah Buschke, 16. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets gets doubled teamed by Kyle Lowry (7) of the Miami Heat, left, and Max Strus (31) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat steals the ball from Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/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 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat drives on Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a foul call against him in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Kevin Love (42) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets and Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat vie for a rebound in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a possession call in favor of the Miami Heat after Caldwell-Pope stripped Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat sending the ball out of bounds in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat steals the ball from Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets as Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat, top, dives in the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works against Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat dishes past Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Kevin Love (42) of the Miami Heat in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone yells at referee David Guthrie (16) after a second found was called on Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DeAndre Jordan (6) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to being waved off for a sub by Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to Nikola Jokic (15) shaking off a sub for DeAndre Jordan during the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets makes a pass to DeAndre Jordan (6) in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) takes a moment with Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets dunks in the second quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kaleb Keller, 18, Jameson Beckwith, 18, Noble Haskell, 18, and Marcus Stevens, 17, celebrate during Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Denver Nuggets versus the Miami Heat at Tom鈥檚 Watch Bar in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Kyle Lowry (7) of the Miami Heat works against Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets lies on the court after being knocked down by Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets shoots a three over Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets locks up Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets makes a clutch block on Kyle Lowry (7) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans cheer as the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets hammers Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets mobs Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound as Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat falls in the fourth quarter during the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after draining a three point basket against the Miami Heat in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets reacts after hitting 3 points during the second half against Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets runs in transition after Kyle Lowry (7) of the Miami Heat coughed up the ball in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets takes it to the cup strong against Kevin Love (42) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos Hall of Famer Peyton Manning celebrates in the third quarter against the Miami Heat during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets defends Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets takes it at Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat and Bam Adebayo (13) in the fourth quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans cheers as the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans and Serbians Nebojsa Grubjesic and his son Jovan, 5, celebrate the win of their team over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church in Lakewood on June 12, 2023. The Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat sits on the floor after being fouled while shooting a three by Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter during the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Miami Heat in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets misses before a follow by Bruce Brown (11) as Duncan Robinson (55) and Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat defend in the third quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets makes a clutch bucket over Bam Adebayo (13) and Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates in the final seconds of the fourth quarter during the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates at the close of the fourth quarter in the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans, from left to right, Gvozden Petrovic, 13, his brother Jovan, 15, friend Stefan Radisa, 14, Milan Petrovic, 12, and his older brother Ognjen, 16, celebrate the win of their team over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church in Lakewood on June 12, 2023. The Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Denver Nugget fans celebrate the win outside Ball Arena in Denver over the Miami Heat at the end of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 12, 2023. Denver won 94-89, clinching the franchise's first-ever NBA Championship. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans celebrate at Tom鈥檚 Watch Bar in Denver after their team beat the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to clinch the championship on Monday, June 12, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 94-89. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets is hoisted by his brother, Strahinja, after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates the NBA championship with his brother Strahinja after the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 94-89 at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone hugs Jamal Murray (27) after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans celebrate clinching their first NBA championship with a win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates winning the team's first championship after the Nuggets beat the Miami Heat to clinch the NBA Finals in Game 5 at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is hoisted by star player Nikola Jokic鈥檚 brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets holds his daughter, Ognjena, as they celebrate after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals-clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
NBA commissioner Adam Silver hands over MVP trophy to Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets, who holds his daughter Ognjena, after defeating the Miami Heat 94-89 to win the NBA championship at Ball Arena June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets takes in the moment after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates on stage after winning the NBA championship against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates winning the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets displays the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award as the star holds his daughter, Ognjena, after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets looks over the NBA championship trophy alongside of former Denver Nuggets great David Thompson after defeating the Miami Heat 94-89 at Ball Arena June 12, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Jeff Green (32) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates as he leaves the court after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates as he leaves the court after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
A firework goes off in a crowd of Denver Nuggets fans as they celebrate their team's win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to clinch the championship on June 12, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Nugget fans celebrate as they drive around downtown Denver after their team beat the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 12, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans celebrate in the streets of downtown Denver after their team beat the Miami Heat to win Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 12, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 94-89. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Denver Nugget fans celebrate in the streets of downtown Denver after their team beat the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 12, 2023. With the win, the Nuggets clinched their first championship. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
A man lights off fireworks as Denver Nugget fans celebrate a win over the Miami Heat during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
A man is tossed into the air as a crowd of Denver Nugget fans celebrate a win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals the clinch the championship on June 12, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
A Denver Nuggets fan lifts a trophy in the air in the streets of downtown Denver after their team beat the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to clinch the team's first championship on Monday, June 12, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 94-89. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
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Five-year-old Averyee Maduro of Aurora is excited to attend his first Nugget抖阴ap game for Game 5 of the NBA Finals agains the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on June 12, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, Hyoung Chang | hchang@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Grace Smith | gsmith@denverpost.com
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
A 56-year wait, including 47 years since entering the NBA, ended on Monday night. The Nuggets knocked off the Miami Heat, 94-89, in Monday鈥檚 Game 5 to secure the first championship in their history.
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