6 ways the Denver Nuggets made NBA history last season

The Denver Nuggets made NBA history last June when they reached the promised land and became world champions. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic led the way with a playoff run for the ages, capping off a legendary season for the Mile-High City.

Joker entrenched himself in basketball lore with his epic postseason, averaging 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists across 20 games. The Serbian sensation broke records and blew minds with masterclass after masterclass, cracking 40 points three times during Denver’s title run.

Jamal Murray also shook the league with his otherworldly play, serving as an incredible second option with first-option talent. The Blue Arrow poured in 26.1 points and 7.1 dimes per game in his first postseason since tearing his ACL in 2021.

Denver’s supporting cast also thrived on the big stage. Aaron Gordon was a star in his role, locking up Kevin Durant in the second round and raising the Nuggets’ ceiling as much as anyone during the playoffs. Meanwhile, Bruce Brown went from Denver’s best-kept secret to a leaguewide fan favorite.

The stars ultimately aligned for the 2022-23 Nuggets, and they left their imprint on NBA history in the process. Here are six ways that they did so.

1. Denver Nuggets take home first-ever NBA championship

The Nuggets captured their first title in franchise history when they became 2023 champs. Denver also reached the NBA Finals for the first time ever, backing up their 53-win regular season in historical fashion.

In addition, the Nuggets finished with the best record in the NBA for the first time in franchise history. It was the cherry on top of a sensational season for a team who had never even finished with the best record in their own conference.

In American professional sports, Denver now owns championships in football, hockey, and basketball. The Nuggets’ glorious run gave the Mile-High City its first ring since the Broncos won the Super Bowl in 2016.

2. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic’s individual brilliance

Jokic stunned NBA fans all over the world with his postseason greatness, etching his name into the history books with some seriously jaw-dropping accomplishments.

During his run, Joker became the only center ever to record 500 points and 100 assists in a single postseason. He also joined LeBron James and Larry Bird as one of three players to ever put up 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 150 assists in a playoff run.

Jokic also smashed the record for triple-doubles in a postseason with 10 of them, adding to an impressive 16 triple-doubles for his playoff career. At 28 years old, he only trails LeBron and Magic Johnson in all-time triple-doubles in the playoffs.

In the Finals, Joker averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 boards, and 7.2 dimes per game while shooting 58.3% from the field and 42.1% from three. Throughout the playoffs, he shot a mind-boggling 46.1% from downtown on nearly four attempts per contest.

Thanks to his utter domination of the Miami Heat, Jokic became the first-ever player to win NBA Finals MVP without an All-Star teammate at any point in his career. That could surely change next season as Murray enters his prime.

One thing is certain. Jokic will continue to build his legacy next season as Denver begins its first title defense ever.

3. Jamal Murray’s magical postseason for Denver Nuggets

Over two years ago, Murray tore his ACL in a mid-April meeting with Golden State. In his first playoff run since the injury, the Blue Arrow played with the poise and confidence of a seasoned vet. Though Jokic was the star of the show for the Denver Nuggets, Murray’s value cannot be understated.

The 26-year-old became one of only four point guards in NBA history to drop 500 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists in a single playoff run. Murray joined Stephen Curry, Isiah Thomas, and Russell Westbrook in achieving this feat.

Like Jokic, Murray shot lights out from distance throughout the playoffs with a 39.6% clip from deep. In fact, the Canadian champion nailed more threes than any point guard ever (aside from Curry in a single playoff run.

Murray also made history for his home country as he became just the ninth Canadian to ever win an NBA championship.

The former Kentucky star will be looking to make personal history in the 2023-24 season, as he hopes to earn his first All-Star selection. If he posts numbers like those from the playoff run, then he should be a shoo-in for a spot on the Western Conference roster.

4. Denver Nuggets had best offense in team history

Denver has never boasted a better offense than they did last year. The Nuggets held a 117.6 offensive rating in the regular season, beating out the franchise record they had previously set during the 2020-21 campaign. The reigning champs poured in 115.8 points per game, and their 3.4 net rating was good for sixth-best in the league.

The Nuggets hit another level in the playoffs. They led the NBA with a 119.5 offensive rating (good for seventh-best all-time) and had an astonishing 8.7 net rating. Fueled by Jokic’s playmaking, the team averaged 25.8 assists and shot 49.2% from the field. This supreme ball movement and shot quality didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. After all, the regular-season Nuggets dished 28.9 assists each night on a league-leading 50.4% clip from the field.

Denver’s knack for creating quality looks also extended to the 3-point line as the Nuggets recorded their second-best 3-point percentage ever. Jokic and company shot a collective 37.9% from downtown on 2,559 total attempts. When they shot a franchise-high 38.8% from three in the 2010-11 season, the Nuggets only took 1,704 shots from beyond the arc.

Needless to say, last season marked Denver’s best team offense ever. Jokic’s sheer dominance and the well-rounded roster surrounding him made for an unsurpassed combination of shooting, scoring, and playmaking. The Nuggets finished top five in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, offensive rating, assists, and assist-to-turnover ratio.

5. Denver Nuggets rookie Christian Braun’s winning ways

If you’re looking for a bona fide winner, look no further than Christian Braun. The scrappy rookie joined an exclusive list of players to win an NCAA championship and an NBA championship in consecutive seasons.

He joins four other players in basketball history who have achieved this back-to-back feat in their rookie season. Those players were Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Henry Bibby, and Billy Thompson.

Braun helped Kansas win their fourth NCAA title in 2022 as the Jayhawks beat the University of North Carolina in the championship. The 6-foot-7 wing played all 40 minutes of the championship game, adding 12 points and 12 boards with some typically exceptional defense.

With Denver, Braun’s minutes fluctuated throughout the regular season, but he ultimately earned Mike Malone’s trust as a consistent member of the playoff rotation. In the Finals, Braun especially excelled in his role to the tune of 5.8 points per game on a sublime 70.6% from the field. Braun also received his biggest workload of the postseason as Malone played the rook 16.3 minutes per contest.

Braun’s signature Finals moment came in Game 3 on the road. The youngster torched the Heat in their own building for 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting across 19 minutes of action.

6. The Denver Nuggets housed the best duo in the league

Jokic and Murray became the first pair of teammates in NBA history to both average 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists over the course of a playoff run. Their long-lasting chemistry was on full display throughout the postseason, and that chemistry hit its peak in the Finals.

In Game 3 of the Finals, Denver’s dynamic duo delivered one of the best two-man attacks in basketball history. Jokic and Murray became the first two teammates ever to record 30-point triple-doubles in the same game. The feat had never even occurred in a regular season contest, let alone a Finals game.

Joker poured in 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists while Murray recorded 34 points himself, along with 10 boards and 10 dimes. Jokic’s stat line marked the first of its kind in a Finals game as the Serb became the first player in NBA history to have a 30-20-10 game in the Finals.

The all-time performance gave the Nuggets a crucial 2-1 lead that they turned into championship glory two games later. Coach Malone called the Jokic/Murray masterclass “their greatest performance as a duo in their seven years together.”