Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets win 2023 NBA championship, their first in franchise history

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are the 2023 NBA champions after beating the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday. It's the Nuggets' first championship in franchise history.

Jokic ended the game with 28 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, while Jamal Murray had 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr. had his first big game of the NBA Finals with 16 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.

The Nuggets proved that they were the best team in the league this season, which culminated in an NBA title. They had the best record in the Western Conference, but most fans thought that they would lose against the Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers.

Here's the moment the Nuggets won the NBA championship:

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Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic wins NBA Finals MVP award

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals - Game Five

To the surprise of no one, Nikola Jokic was named the 2023 NBA Finals MVP. Jokic had an amazing series against the Heat, averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists in five games.

"The Joker" was simply amazing for the Nuggets, not just in the NBA Finals but throughout the postseason. He also became the first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in total points, rebounds and assists.

Winning the NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP likely puts the questions about Jokic's greatness to rest. He has now added two more major trophies to his growing cabinet that already has two league MVP trophies and five All-Star selections.

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Jamal Murray ends long road from injury with NBA championship

Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals - Game Five

Jamal Murray missed all of last season due to a knee injury suffered at the end of the 2020-21 NBA season. Murray's long road to recovery ended with an NBA championship. It has been a tough year for Murray, getting back into shape while also trying to overcome the mental side of recovering from a serious injury.

Murray exploded in the playoffs for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 26.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.5 steals. He struggled with his show in the NBA Finals, but still contributed to the Nuggets. He had four straight games with 10 assists, while dishing eight in Game 5.