Nikola Jokic showed his class in the closing moments of the NBA Finals.
The Denver Nuggets won the Larry O’Brien trophy for the very first time following their 94-89 victory over the Miami Heat. When it was clear that the franchise was going to win Game 5 and clinch the series, 4-1, the first thing the 28-year-old did was walk over to coach Erik Spoelstra and shake his hand, before doing the same with the Miami players.
Before celebrating his accomplishment with his teammates and loved ones, Jokic showed a great act of sportsmanship which further sums up his character. "We are not in it for ourselves, we are in it for the guy next to us," Jokic said post-game. "And that's why this (means) even more."
In what proved to be a scrappy game, Jokic finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, before being awarded the Finals MVP. The center produced a truly historic season and became the first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in total points, rebounds, and assists.
"It was ugly and we couldn't make shots, but at the end, we figured it out," Jokic said. "I am just happy we won the game. That's why basketball is a fun sport. It's a live thing. You cannot say, 'This is going to happen'. There are so many factors. I'm just happy that we won the game. The job is done, we can go home now.”
It was a very emotional moment for Jamal Murray, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL. Speaking to ESPN after the Finals victory, he said: “It was hard to speak. Being out two postseasons, that was everything, man. I felt so much love from everyone in this arena.
“To see it full circle is amazing. This is the first, but it's the first of many. We knew we could do this. It's just kind of popping that cherry, and having everyone locked in. We've proved that. I think we can do it again, we can run it back.”
The Nuggets were leading the game by seven late in the fourth and final quarter, with the Heat on a five-minute scoring drought. But Jimmy Butler, who had scored just eight points, erupted and went on to score his team’s next 13 points to give them an 89-88 lead heading into the final two minutes.
But Bruce Brown scored a vital bucket to restore the Nuggets’ lead and the team would go on to make four straight free throws to secure the victory. The Ball Arena erupted with delight and fireworks were set off outside the venue as the Nuggets finally reached the top of the basketball mountain after 47 years in the league.
