Nikola Jokić

The 47-year wait is over — Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets are NBA champions for the first time. Jokić finished off one of the most legendary postseason runs in league history with one final show-stopping performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. With the scrappy eighth-seeded Miami Heat holding a seven-point third quarter lead and refusing to quit, the two-time MVP showed why he’s one of the best players in the world during a sizzling second half. Jokić backed Bam Adebayo down from the perimeter and used his strength and athleticism to finish with a spinning layup, shooting 12 of 16 from the field for a game-high 28 points. The NBA Finals MVP led his team to a gritty 94-89 win on June 12, 2023 and became the first player to lead the league in points, rebounds and assists in a single postseason.

Championship Year