(Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post) Related ArticlesĪ peek behind the curtain: Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic through the eyes of his teammates 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. The beauty of a title is that they never have to apologize. 4-seed Suns team that many pundits picked to advance anyway. 7-seeded Lakers squad that was teeming with talent or a No. Monday’s historic win gave them an unimpeachable playoff record of 16-4, including 10-1 in their last 11 games. The Nuggets played - and steamrolled - their competition. Those who bemoaned Denver’s path to a championship were grasping at straws. “We believe in each other,” Jokic said from the postgame podium. Jokic, on both ends, would not be denied. Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 21, and Bam Adebayo added 20, but neither was particularly efficient. Aaron Gordon snuffed a Kyle Lowry jumper, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope jumped the passing lanes. Bruce Brown hounded and pounded the glass, including a clutch offensive rebound and putback with 1:30 remaining. The Nuggets allowed only 18 points in the fourth quarter, swarming and swallowing any comeback attempt Miami tried. Their defense, in the clutch, was tenacious. “Can’t nobody tell me nothing,” Porter beamed. “I’m feeling super confident that we’re going to win it tonight,” she said.Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menu She traveled to Denver from Summit County to watch the game with her son and grandson - the familial love of the team spanning generations. A Colorado resident for 40 years, she describes herself as a fan for “as long as they’ve been going.” Heller vowed to buy a chicken nugget costume as Colorado’s home team prevailed.Ĭheers echoed around McGregor Square as the Nuggets took to the court, with fans gathered on nearby apartment balconies to catch a glimpse of the sports bar’s outdoor TVs.Īndrea Dunahugh, 55, craned her neck in McGregor Square to watch the first quarter of the game. “There’s a crazy buzz around the city right now,” said Anthony Hirsch, a 21-year-old Denverite who recently moved to the city from Bailey.Īt least a thousand fans gathered inside of the sports bar for the watch party, with a sign declaring the event sold out.ĭenver residents Sam Bradley, 27, and Mary Grace Heller, 28, sat outside of Tom’s Watch Bar as the game began.īradley described himself as “extremely confident” in a Nuggets’ win. In McGregor Square, fans in Nuggets jerseys crowded the sidewalks leading to the entrance of Tom’s Watch Bar. Denver won 94-89, clinching the franchise’s first-ever NBA Championship. Yarely Dominguez, 21, described watching “people dropping down from the light post - just falling on people, breaking down the signs, throwing shoes.”īut she ultimately called it “just fun - celebration.” 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. Utkarsh Mandavilli, 18, described himself as feeling “amazing,” and is looking forward to a “crazy” parade. “All of Denver is here right now, and we are partying tonight.” “It’s unbelievable! First time ever! We did it!” said John Mallon, 25, one of the fans in the crowd. Eventually, they successfully stormed the fences of the sports bar, with many running into the courtyard and at least one reveler standing on a car. Once the buzzer hit zero, the citywide tension broke, with drinks thrown in the air as hundreds of fans in McGregor Square cheered. In the game’s final minutes, the streets of downtown Denver sat empty and quiet before the madness to come, as the eyes of Nuggets fans remained glued to the nearest television screen. As the final whistle blew, hordes of jubilant fans poured out of the downtown sports bars and started the celebrations. staved off a furious Miami Heat team Monday night, clinching the first championship in franchise history at home in front of a raucous crowd. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menuĭenver Nuggets fans tossed toilet paper, stood on cars and clamored atop street signs, shouting and chanting as fireworks lit up the Mile High skyline.
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