The Denver Nuggets have been crowned 2023 NBA champions after defeating the Miami Heat in five games, closing out the series on their home floor.
With a 94-89 win in Game 5, the Nuggets sealed the win in thrilling fashion behind another huge performance from Nikola Jokic, who recorded 28 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists on 12-of-16 shooting.
Jokic's dominance through the Finals was nothing short of monstrous, averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks on 58.3 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from the 3-point line, earning him the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy.
MORE: How NBA title validates Nikola Jokic's place among all-time greats | Can the Nuggets be an NBA dynasty?
The No. 41 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Jokic becomes the lowest-drafted player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP and the first player drafted outside of the top 15 to win the award.
Nikola Jokic is presented with the Bill Russell Trophy as the 2022-23 #NBAFinals MVP 👏 pic.twitter.com/enfQxUJzZx
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2023
2023 Finals MVP voting breakdown
It was a clean sweep for Nikola Jokic, who unanimously received all 11 votes from the media for Finals MVP.
Voter | Player |
Sam Amick, The Athletic | Nikola Jokic |
Malika Andrews, ESPN | Nikola Jokic |
Doris Burke, ESPN Radio | Nikola Jokic |
Miguel Candeias, A Bloa (Portugal) | Nikola Jokic |
Vincent Goodwill, Yahoo Sports | Nikola Jokic |
Mark Jackson, ESPN/ABC | Nikola Jokic |
Shaun Powell, NBA.com | Nikola Jokic |
Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press | Nikola Jokic |
Mike Singer, Denver Post | Nikola Jokic |
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinal | Nikola Jokic |
Jeff Zillgitt, USA Today | Nikola Jokic |
Full list of NBA Finals MVP winners
In his first NBA Finals appearance, Jokic took home Finals MVP, finishing with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists on 12-of-16 shooting in the closeout Game 5 victory.
Here is the complete list of past NBA Finals MVP winners.
Year | Player | Team |
2023 | Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets |
2022 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors |
2021 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
2020 | LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers |
2019 | Kawhi Leonard | Toronto Raptors |
2018 | Kevin Durant | Golden State Warriors |
2017 | Kevin Durant | Golden State Warriors |
2016 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers |
2015 | Andre Iguodala | Golden State Warriors |
2014 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs |
2013 | LeBron James | Miami Heat |
2012 | LeBron James | Miami Heat |
2011 | Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks |
2010 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers |
2009 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers |
2008 | Paul Pierce | Boston Celtics |
2007 | Tony Parker | San Antonio Spurs |
2006 | Dwyane Wade | Miami Heat |
2005 | Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs |
2004 | Chauncey Billups | Detroit Pistons |
2003 | Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs |
2002 | Shaquille O'Neal | Los Angeles Lakers |
2001 | Shaquille O'Neal | Los Angeles Lakers |
2000 | Shaquille O'Neal | Los Angeles Lakers |
1999 | Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs |
1998 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
1997 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
1996 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
1995 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets |
1994 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets |
1993 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
1992 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
1991 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
1990 | Isiah Thomas | Detroit Pistons |
1989 | Joe Dumars | Detroit Pistons |
1988 | James Worthy | Los Angeles Lakers |
1987 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers |
1986 | Larry Bird | Boston Celtics |
1985 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Los Angeles Lakers |
1984 | Larry Bird | Boston Celtics |
1983 | Moses Malone | Philadelphia 76ers |
1982 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers |
1981 | Cedric Maxwell | Boston Celtics |
1980 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers |
1979 | Dennis Johnson | Seattle SuperSonics |
1978 | Wes Unseld | Washington Bullets |
1977 | Bill Walton | Portland Trail Blazers |
1976 | Jo Jo White | Boston Celtics |
1975 | Rick Barry | Golden State Warriors |
1974 | John Havlicek | Boston Celtics |
1973 | Willis Reed | New York Knicks |
1972 | Wilt Chamberlain | Los Angeles Lakers |
1971 | Lew Alcindor | Milwaukee Bucks |
1970 | Willis Reed | New York Knicks |
1969 | Jerry West | Los Angeles Lakers |