Audio By Carbonatix
The Denver Nuggets clinched their first NBA title as a 94-89 win over the Miami Heat sealed a 4-1 series triumph.
Nikola Jokic led his side to victory with 28 points to end the Nuggets 47-year wait for the championship trophy.
Serb Jokic, 28, was named the Finals' most valuable player to add 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," Jokic said following victory at Ball Arena.
Jokic also contributed 16 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr added 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Nuggets ground out the decisive victory in game five.
The Nuggets never lost more than twice in any of their play-off series, ending their march towards a historic success with 10 victories in their last 11 post-season games.
Denver trailed 71-70 at the start of the fourth quarter, and 89-88 with just under two minutes remaining, but the hosts would not be denied after they hit the front with a Bruce Brown lay-up.
For Miami, Jimmy Butler scored 21 points and Bam Adebayo 20 but they were unable to keep their hopes of an unlikely comeback alive.
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," Jokic 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."
Latest Stories
-
Africa Town Pavilion opens 2.5 million-visitor trade window for Ghana at 2026 Commonwealth Games
1 minute -
Ministry of Health pays nurses’ arrears, announces plans to recruit 16,000 health workers
25 minutes -
Decision to sack Otoo Addo was collective, based on performance concerns – Kofi Adams
26 minutes -
“GFA pays Queiroz’s hotel bills, residence use is their call” – Kofi Adams
27 minutes -
NPA boss urges oil marketing firms to prioritise safety over profits
28 minutes -
CITG urges faster dispute resolution amid Publican AI concerns
42 minutes -
Photos: Mahama visits Nsawam Prison, donates supplies, pledges support for inmates
44 minutes -
Domestic fires slightly up due to slum structures – GNFS
48 minutes -
2026 World Cup: Queiroz tasked to take Black Stars to semi-finals – Sports Minister
53 minutes -
My engagement and motivation helped Black Stars’ World Cup push – Kofi Adams
56 minutes -
FirstBank Ghana appoints Osahon Ogieva as MD/CEO; Victor Asante moves to international role
1 hour -
Carlos Queiroz will be paid less than $100,000 a month – Sports Minister
1 hour -
Fire Service opens stations to public as Ghana marks International Firefighters Day
1 hour -
Young people don’t take networking seriously – Abrantie the Gentleman
1 hour -
2026 African Athletics Championships: Sports Ministry, Ghana Athletics announce Hoshii International as major sponsor
1 hour