Mark Kiszla

Sports columnist

Mark Kiszla

Mark Kiszla is an award-winning sports columnist who wrote for The Denver Post from the fall of 1983 to 2024. During his time at the Post, he was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year four times and was honored as a top 10 columnist in the nation by the Associated Press Sports Editors as recently as 2021.

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets makes a basket against Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during 1st game of Western Conference Final at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

How it happened: Nikola Jokic has another triple-double as Nuggets survive Lakers rally in Game 1

May 16, 2023 at 11:08 p.m.

Live updates, tweets, photos, analysis and more from the Denver Nuggets' Game 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena in Denver on May 16, 2023.

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets operates as Jock Landale (11) of the Phoenix Suns defends during the first quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Thursday, May 11, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: Nikola Jokic and LeBron James couldn’t more different as basketball players. But their secret sauce is the same.

May 15, 2023 at 5:51 p.m.

LeBron James and Nikola Jokic share one gift from the basketball gods that make them NBA immortals. They see a beautiful game muggles like us find so incomprehensible that all...

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena on October 26, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Who has the edge, five things to watch and predictions

May 15, 2023 at 7:53 p.m.

As the Denver Nuggets enter the Western Conference Finals for the second time in four seasons, a breakdown of their matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 7: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets warms up before the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: Nuggets can’t lose to Lakers, unless they let the refs or ghosts beat them

May 13, 2023 at 6:03 p.m.

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets belong here, on the big stage. If they can take down the LeBron James, everybody might finally believe it.

Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Lakers-Celtics? Nah. Joker-Embiid would be best made-for-TV drama in NBA Finals.

May 13, 2023 at 4:31 p.m.

The league wants to see the Lakers versus the Celtics in the NBA Finals. That's why the Lakers shot 80 more free throws than Golden State in their last playoff...

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets hugs his dad, Roger, as he jokingly says, 鈥渕y city, my city,鈥� after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� series-clinching 125-100 win over the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Thursday, May 11, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: When was moment these Nuggets realized they were championship-worthy? “2019,” said guard Jamal Murray, putting the bluebloods of NBA on notice.

May 12, 2023 at 10:11 a.m.

鈥淚t seems like for years now, we鈥檙e some dusty old cowtown in the Rocky Mountains, with so little respect that we get. You can sit there, you can fight it...

Pat Surtain II (2), Justin Simmons (31) and Alex Singleton (49) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Denver Post staff predictions: Forecasting the Broncos’ 2023 record

May 11, 2023 at 6:57 p.m.

With the Broncos' full schedule released Thursday, The Post sports staff predicts how things will turn out in Year 1 of the Sean Payton era.

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets runs back to play defense angrily after scoring and expecting a foul call on Cameron Payne (15) of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: With twinkling eyes, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic burns hotter than the Suns

May 10, 2023 at 4:12 p.m.

In a crucial NBA playoff game against Phoenix, center Nikola Jokic killed Suns owner Mat Ishbie with kindness, then buried the Suns with his 10th postseason triple double.

Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to being called for a foul against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kiszla vs. Gabriel: Is stopping Suns guard Devin Booker or jump-starting Michael Porter Jr. the bigger problem for Nuggets in this playoff series?

May 8, 2023 at 2:16 p.m.

With this playoff series with the Suns knotted 2-2, what's the most pressing concern for the Nuggets? The Denver Post's Mark Kiszla and Parker Gabriel debate.

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets rushes to retrieve the game ball as Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia inserts himself into the action by clutching the ball as he helps Josh Okogie (2) to his feet after Okogie flew into the stands during the second quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: Nikola Jokic and Suns owner tussle. Mat Ishbia should be sat in a corner until he learns how to behave at playoff game.

May 7, 2023 at 11:02 p.m.

After Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Suns owner Mat Ishbia tussled for the ball, this much is apparent: Ishbia shouldn鈥檛 be allowed back in the arena until he learns how...

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Mark Kiszla

All Stories

How it happened: Nikola Jokic has another triple-double as Nuggets survive Lakers rally in Game 1

Kiszla: Nikola Jokic and LeBron James couldn’t more different as basketball players. But their secret sauce is the same.

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Who has the edge, five things to watch and predictions

Kiszla: Nuggets can’t lose to Lakers, unless they let the refs or ghosts beat them

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Lakers-Celtics? Nah. Joker-Embiid would be best made-for-TV drama in NBA Finals.

Kiszla: When was moment these Nuggets realized they were championship-worthy? “2019,” said guard Jamal Murray, putting the bluebloods of NBA on notice.

Denver Post staff predictions: Forecasting the Broncos’ 2023 record

Kiszla: With twinkling eyes, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic burns hotter than the Suns

Kiszla vs. Gabriel: Is stopping Suns guard Devin Booker or jump-starting Michael Porter Jr. the bigger problem for Nuggets in this playoff series?

Kiszla: Nikola Jokic and Suns owner tussle. Mat Ishbia should be sat in a corner until he learns how to behave at playoff game.