Day: June 13, 2023

The Denver Nuggets have defeated the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5 to win the 2023 NBA Finals.

The Nuggets finish their championship run with a 16-4 record. Denver was the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but their uneven play to close the regular season led to some speculation of whether they were capable of winning a title.

But Nikola Jokic has been the clear best player throughout the playoffs and was particularly dominant in The Finals. Jokic finished the playoffs as the leader in total points, rebounds and assists, which has never happened previously in NBA history. Jokic was also named Finals MVP.

Jamal Murray returned from the torn ACL he suffered in 2021 this season and began to fully regain his form in the playoffs.

Tyler Herro has been upgraded to questionable for Game 5 and is expected to be in uniform for the Miami Heat in attempt to return.

If Herro doesn’t suffer a setback and can manage the discomfort in his right hand, he is expected to play.

Herro has been out since suffering a fracture in Game 1 of Miami’s first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Heat trail the Denver Nuggets 3-1 in The Finals.