Denver Nuggets clinched the first NBA title on Monday night when they outclassed the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals 2023 in Denver.
This is their first-ever triumph in the NBA Finals in their 47-year NBA history. It means the Larry O’Brien Trophy will have a new home in Denver.
In Game 5 of the best-of-seven series, Denver Nuggets relied heavily on their 28-year-old center Nikola Jokic who led the way with 28 points and 16 rebounds.
Nikola Jokic: NBA Finals MVP 2023
Nikola Jokic was also named the NBA Finals’ most valuable player. Talking in a court-side interview, Jokic said, “It was an amazing effort by the team. It was an ugly game, we couldn’t make shots. But in the end, we figured out how to defend. That’s why we won the game.”
The NBA Finals MVP trophy certainly means more to Nikola Jokic than the two overall MVPs he bagged in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Denver Nuggets: A Show of Dreadful Shooting
Despite holding on to Miami Heat’s late flurry, Denver Nuggets managed to clinch the coveted victory. This could all change if Miami Heat were better with their scoring. It was an even more dreadful show by the Nuggets who continued missing their shots.
The Nuggets, who came in shooting 37.6% from 3 for the series, shot 18% in this one. They committed 14 turnovers. They only went 13 for 23 from the line, though Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were 4 for 4 at the end while Denver was salting away the win.
Finally, it all went down to Nikola Jokic’s inspiring effort as he went 12 for 16 from the floor. None of his mates were able to find the net but Jokic was exceptional as usual with his shooting.
In total, the Nuggets missed 20 of their first 22 3-point attempts and seven of their first 13 free throws.
Jimmy Butler’s Efforts Go in Vain
Jimmy Bulter was red hot right at the end as he smashed eight straight points to help Miami Heat take a slender 87-86 lead with only 2:45 left. He then again gave the Heat the one-point advantage with 1:58 remaining. However, his mates failed to support him as Bruce Brown gave Nuggets the lead that stayed till the final buzzer.
Butler had a chance to level the score with 15 seconds left. However, he missed the three-pointer, which literally put an end to the Heat’s resilience in Denver on Monday night. Butler finished Game 5 with 21 points.
Nevertheless, it was a remarkable season for Miami Heat. They became only the second-eighth-seeded team to make it to the NBA Finals.
Jayhawk Christian is the 15th Jayhawk to win an NBA Title
Christian Braun, a former Kansas guard, joined the ranks of the Jayhawks who have won an NBA title as he became the 15th player from Kansas University to achieve this feat. The Denver Nuggets, with Braun on their roster, emerged victorious in the 2023 NBA Finals, defeating the Miami Heat 94-89 in a 4-1 series win.
Braun, selected as the 21st pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Nuggets, began his professional career as a rookie in the 2022-23 season. He showcased his skills in 76 regular-season games, including six starts, for the top-seeded Denver team. Throughout the regular season, Braun maintained a solid performance, averaging 15.5 minutes, 4.7 points, and 2.4 rebounds per game, shooting at an impressive 49.5 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from beyond the arc. In the playoffs, he played 19 games, contributing an average of 13.0 minutes, 3.2 points, and 2.1 rebounds per game with a 53.3 field goal percentage. Notably, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Braun showcased his scoring ability, netting 15 points on an impressive 7-8 shooting from the field in just 19 minutes, aiding the Nuggets in securing a 2-1 series lead.
The Denver Nuggets, having clinched the top seed in the Western Conference with a 53-29 regular-season record, continued their strong performance in the playoffs. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1), Phoenix Suns (4-2), and the Los Angeles Lakers (4-0) to advance to the NBA Finals. Their triumph over the Miami Heat marked the franchise’s first-ever NBA Championship victory.
Successful 3-Year Stint at Kansas University
Before his professional career, Braun had a successful three-year tenure at Kansas University from 2019-20 to 2021-22. During his time with the Jayhawks, he earned accolades such as being named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2020 and receiving an honorable mention selection for the all-conference team in the following season. Braun played a crucial role in Kansas’ NCAA National Championship victory in 2022, contributing an average of 14.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Over his college career, he participated in 101 games, making 74 starts and accumulating 1,018 points, 506 rebounds, 183 assists, and 97 steals.
Braun’s achievement of winning both an NCAA title and an NBA title in consecutive seasons makes him the fifth player in NBA history to accomplish this feat. He joins the esteemed company of Bill Russell, Henry Bibby, Magic Johnson, and Billy Thompson. Furthermore, Braun’s NBA title win adds to the legacy of Jayhawks in the NBA, with 15 Kansas players having won a total of 20 NBA titles throughout their careers. He becomes the seventh player under the coaching of Bill Self to achieve this milestone, joining the likes of Wayne Simien, Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush, Sasha Kaun, Markieff Morris, and Andrew Wiggins.
Additionally, Braun is the fifth Kansas player to have won both an NCAA and NBA title, with the previous instances occurring during the 2008 NCAA National Championship team, featuring Chalmers, Rush, and Kaun, and Wiggins’ NBA title win in 2022 with the Golden State Warriors. Notably, this marks the fourth time that two or more different Kansas players have won back-to-back NBA titles, with previous instances occurring in 2006 and 2007, as well as in 2015 and 2016.
The Legacy of Kansas University in the NBA
Throughout Kansas University’s basketball history, the legacy of success and championships continues to shine. Christian Braun’s accomplishment adds to the prestigious list of Jayhawks who have achieved both NCAA and NBA titles. In the 2008 NCAA National Championship team, notable players Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush, and Sasha Kaun were part of the elite group that clinched both college and professional glory. More recently, Andrew Wiggins secured an NBA title in 2022 with the Golden State Warriors.
Braun’s achievement also highlights the remarkable pattern of consecutive NBA titles won by Kansas players. This occurrence has happened on four occasions in the university’s basketball journey. The first instance took place in 2006 and 2007 when Wayne Simien and Jacque Vaughn claimed back-to-back NBA championships. Following that, the trend continued in 2015 and 2016 with Brandon Rush and Sasha Kaun capturing consecutive titles. The remarkable feat of consecutive championships demonstrates the consistency and caliber of the Jayhawks’ basketball program.
The triumphs of Kansas players extend beyond the NBA title wins. Several legendary Jayhawks have even secured the prestigious title of NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). Basketball icons such as Wilt Chamberlain in 1972, Jo Jo White in 1976, and Paul Pierce in 2008 won championships. They also got recognition as the most impactful players in their respective NBA Finals. Their achievements further solidify the Jayhawks’ legacy of producing exceptional talent that excels on the grandest stages of professional basketball.
Christian Braun Joins the Illusive Group
As Christian Braun joins this illustrious clan, his success serves as a testament to the Kansas University basketball program’s dedication to nurturing outstanding players. Braun’s journey from Kansas to the NBA and his role in securing the 2023 NBA Championship for the Denver Nuggets will be etched in the annals of Jayhawk history. His hard work, determination, and contributions to the team have made him a vital part of the franchise’s remarkable achievement.
Looking ahead, the Kansas University basketball program will continue to be a breeding ground for top-tier talent. It will keep preparing them not only for successful college careers but also for the highest level of professional basketball. The legacy of champions like Christian Braun, alongside the rich history of previous Jayhawks’ accomplishments, will undoubtedly inspire future generations of basketball players at Kansas and beyond.
NBA Champion Jayhawks (*Finals Most Valuable Player)
Clyde Lovellette (1950-52 at KU)
1954 – Minneapolis Lakers
1963, 1964 – Boston Celtics
Maurice King (1955-57 at KU)
1960 – Boston Celtics
Wilt Chamberlain (1957-58 at KU)
1967 – Philadelphia 76ers
*1972 – L.A. Lakers
Jo Jo White (1966-69 at KU)
1974, *1976 – Boston Celtics
Bill Bridges (1959-61 at KU)
1975 – Golden State Warriors
Wayne Simien (2002-05 at KU)
2006 – Miami Heat
Jacque Vaughn (1994-97 at KU)
2007 – San Antonio Spurs
Paul Pierce (1996-98 at KU)
*2008 – Boston Celtics
Scot Pollard (1994-97 at KU)
2008 – Boston Celtics
Mario Chalmers (2006-08 at KU)
2012, 2013 – Miami Heat
Brandon Rush (2006-08 at KU)
2015 – Golden State Warriors
Sasha Kaun (2005-08 at KU)
2016 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Markieff Morris (2009-11 at KU)
2020 – Los Angeles Lakers
Andrew Wiggins (2014 at KU)
2022 – Golden State Warriors
Christian Braun (2020-22 at KU)
2023 – Denver Nuggets
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