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NBA Finals 2023: Schedule, how to watch, scores, more

The Denver Nuggets are the 2023 NBA champions.

Nikola Jokic put together a prolific performance to lead Denver to its first NBA title in franchise history, beating the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5 to take the series 4-1. Jokic, the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP, had a double-double in the win, tallying 28 points and 16 rebounds.

The Heat were on the cusp of completing one of the most improbable championship runs in league history, but the No. 8 seed failed to win on the road. Jimmy Butler had 21 points, but went 5-for-18 from the field.

All four rounds of the NBA playoffs were a best-of-seven format, as has been the case since 2003. The NBA does not reseed after each round, so the bracket was set at the start of the tournament.

The top six teams in each conference automatically qualified for the playoffs, while the teams that finished the regular season in seventh through 10th places advanced to the NBA's play-in tournament to determine the final two playoff teams in each conference.

Revisit the five-game series between the Nuggets and the Heat here.

RECAPS: Conf. finals | Conf. semis | First round | Play-in

NBA FINALS


Denver Nuggets (1) beats Miami Heat (8), 4-1

Game 1: Nuggets 104, Heat 93
Game 2: Heat 111, Nuggets 108
Game 3: Nuggets 109, Heat 94
Game 4: Nuggets 108, Heat 95
Game 5: Nuggets 94, Heat 89

Game 5: Nuggets 94, Heat 89

Leaders

  • Points: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 28

  • Rebounds: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 16

  • Assists: Jamal Murray, Nuggets -- 8

Game 5 box score | Game 5 highlights


Tweet of the night


Lowe: Inside the seven-year journey to construct the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets

From legendary draft picks to devastating injuries, the Nuggets spent the better part of a decade building for this -- their first title in franchise history. And they might just be getting started, writes Zach Lowe.


How the Nuggets created, cultivated the NBA's most dynamic duo

The roots of this Denver title run extend far beyond the 2014 NBA draft. This is the story of how the Nuggets identified their star pair -- and the fortitude it took to believe in them, Ramona Shelburne writes.


Tales of Nikola Jokic's journey to a title

Eight stories, eight writers. We reveal the most important moments of Nikola Jokic's Hall-of-Fame career, as the Nuggets celebrate the 2023 NBA title. Read here.


Game 4: Nuggets 108, Heat 95

Leaders

  • Points: Aaron Gordon, Nuggets -- 27 points

  • Rebounds: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 12 rebounds

  • Assists: Jamal Murray, Nuggets -- 12 assists

Game 4 box score | Game 4 highlights


Tweet of the night


How Aaron Gordon turned into a perfect fit alongside Denver's offensive hierarchy

Not even the Nuggets' front office knew they would get a key championship contributor when they traded for the ex-Magic forward in 2021, writes Ramona Shelburne.


Why Miami's Game 4 loss all but ensures Heat will be star-searching soon

Down 3-1 in the NBA Finals, Friday's loss in Miami guarantees this: The Heat will be major players this offseason, writes Brian Windhorst.

Game 3: Nuggets 109, Heat 94

Leaders

  • Points: Jamal Murray, Nuggets -- 34 points

  • Rebounds: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 21 rebounds

  • Assists: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Nuggets -- 10 assists

Game 3 box score | Game 3 highlights


Tweet of the night


Urgency, desperation and 17 video clips: How Michael Malone keeps motivating the Nuggets

Denver's coach didn't just call out his team following their Game 2 loss, he offered honesty and begged for urgency. And Game 3 highlighted how the Nuggets embraced every bit of that plea, writes Brian Windhorst.


Jokic and Murray's chemistry was on full display in Game 3

The Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray two-man game is as devastating as it is beautiful. And it's because they started perfecting it long before they ever teamed up in Denver, writes Ramona Shelburne.

Game 2: Heat 111, Nuggets 108

Leaders

  • Points: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 41 points

  • Rebounds: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 11 rebounds

  • Assists: Jamal Murray, Nuggets -- 10 assists

Game 2 box score | Game 2 highlights


Tweet of the night


How Jimmy Butler and the Heat figured things out

From weathering gut-wrenching losses to playing without injured starters to matching up with opposing superstars, this is what Miami has done all postseason, writes Ramona Shelburne.


Game 2 provides the Heat with the NBA's biggest luxury: options

With a victory Sunday night in Denver, the Heat now have more than home-court advantage. They have an opportunity to bring Tyler Herro back when they want, writes Brian Windhorst.

Game 1: Nuggets 104, Heat 93

Leaders

  • Points: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 27 points

  • Rebounds: Michael Porter Jr., Nuggets/Bam Adebayo, Heat -- 13 rebounds

  • Assists: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets -- 13 assists

Game 1 box score | Game 1 highlights


Tweet of the night


Nikola Jokic was in total control of Game 1

The two-time MVP took only three shots in the first half, but was still dominant, helping the Nuggets get whatever they wanted against the Heat, writes Ramona Shelburne.


The yearslong trend the Heat will have to break to beat the Nuggets

Bam Adebayo has been at his All-Star and All-Defensive best against the Nuggets over his career. It has almost never been enough, writes Brian Windhorst.

2023 NBA Finals

Two plays show how dangerous the Nuggets can be

These two possessions reveal so much about Nikola Jokic and Nuggets -- an ethos that will be backbreaking for the Heat to counter. Read Zach Lowe's story »


The car ride that changed the NBA forever

Nikola Jokic will say he never expected to make it to the NBA, much less win two MVP awards. People assume he's just being modest, but then ... Denver's star figured it all out. Read Ramona Shelburne's story »


The schemes, predictions and latest intel that will define the Finals

Do the Heat have any kind of counter for Nikola Jokic? Can the Nuggets merely contain Jimmy Butler and Miami's red-hot shooters? Here's everything you need to know for the 2023 NBA Finals. Read Zach Lowe's preview »


Which championship runs have been the most impressive since Jordan's Bulls?

Kevin Pelton breaks down which teams have earned their championship hardware the most over the last few decades, factoring in statistical performance and level of competition. Read the complete rankings »

Historical NBA Finals coverage

2022: Warriors champions once again

Stephen Curry & Co. returned to the top of the mountain, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games to claim their fourth championship in the past seven seasons.

Complete 2022 NBA Finals coverage


2021: Giannis, Bucks conquer the Suns

Giannis Antetokounmpo's epic Game 6 performance ended the Milwaukee Bucks' 50-year title drought, giving them their second NBA championship with a win over the Phoenix Suns.

Complete 2021 NBA Finals coverage


2020: LeBron, Lakers claim bubble title

The Los Angeles Lakers conquered the NBA's Orlando bubble, defeating the Miami Heat in six games for the 17th championship in franchise history.

Complete 2020 NBA Finals coverage


2019: Kawhi becomes King in the North

For the first time in NBA history, a team outside the United States won the championship, as the Toronto Raptors knocked off the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Complete 2019 NBA Finals coverage


2018: How sweep it is for Warriors

The Golden State Warriors capped off a second consecutive title run by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games.

Complete 2018 NBA Finals coverage


2017: Durant puts Warriors back on top

The Golden State Warriors were nearly perfect in 2017, going 16-1 in the playoffs en route to winning the NBA championship.

Complete 2017 NBA Finals coverage


2016: 'Cleveland, this is for you!'

LeBron James and the Cavaliers ended Cleveland's 52-year title drought by becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

Complete 2016 NBA Finals coverage