A masterful season for Nikola Jokić ended in triumphant celebration Monday night as the Nuggets toppled the Heat, 94–89, in Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the franchise’s first-ever championship.
After notching his latest standout effort of the postseason, Jokić added another accolade to his resumé as the two-time MVP was named the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. The star center finished Denver’s closeout win with a game-high 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the field with 16 rebounds and four assists.
The 2023 NBA Finals MVP 🃏
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/sidL76hSm6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 13, 2023
In addition to the new hardware, Jokić, who scored 10 fourth-quarter points to help put Miami away, also stamped his dominant title run as the first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in total points, rebounds, and assists.
Following Monday’s win, Jokić will conclude the postseason with 600 points, 269 rebounds and 190 assists.
As Denver celebrated finishing the job, the Serbian big man, as he so often has, took a humble approach while speaking on the surreal moment.
“The job is done, we can go home now,” Jokić told ESPN’s Lisa Salters.
Nikola Jokic: "The job is done, we can go home now" pic.twitter.com/fQVku1Uzy7
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 13, 2023
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
