Who Won the NBA Championship Last Season? Full Recap and Analysis

I still remember the final buzzer sounding in Denver last June, watching Nikola Jokić embrace his teammates with that characteristically understated smile. After covering the NBA for over a decade, I've witnessed countless championship celebrations, but there was something uniquely satisfying about watching the Denver Nuggets secure their first franchise title. The confetti hadn't even settled when Jamal Murray, emotional and triumphant, echoed what many champions feel but rarely articulate so vividly: "Here we are, finally with two championships. What a journey it has been and I've never been hungrier to go for more." That statement, made in the immediate aftermath of their 94-89 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5, perfectly captured the paradox of championship success—the simultaneous fulfillment and insatiable hunger for more.

What made Denver's championship run so compelling wasn't just their dominant 16-4 playoff record, but how they completely redefined modern championship basketball. For years, the conventional wisdom suggested you needed multiple superstar free agents or a big-market advantage to win titles. The Nuggets proved otherwise by building primarily through the draft and developing their core organically. Jokić, the 41st overall pick in 2014, evolved from a second-round curiosity into arguably the most skilled center in league history. Murray, selected seventh in 2016, transformed from a promising prospect into a certified playoff performer. Their partnership demonstrated the value of continuity in an era where player movement often dictates championship windows. Watching them dismantle opponents with their exquisite two-man game felt like witnessing basketball poetry—improvised yet precise, spontaneous yet devastatingly effective.

The Finals themselves provided a masterclass in tactical adjustment and individual brilliance. Miami, despite being the eighth seed, presented numerous challenges with their zone defenses and disciplined approach. The series ultimately turned on Denver's ability to exploit mismatches while maintaining defensive integrity. Jokić's averages of 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists across the five games don't fully capture his impact—he controlled the tempo like a chess grandmaster, always several moves ahead of whatever defensive scheme Erik Spoelstra threw at him. Meanwhile, Murray's 26.0 points and 7.4 assists per game showcased his evolution into a premier playoff performer. Their two-man chemistry reached its zenith in Game 3, when they became the first teammates in NBA history to record 30-point triple-doubles in the same game—a statistical anomaly that underscores their unique synergy.

From my perspective, what separated Denver from previous champions was their remarkable balance between offensive firepower and defensive resilience. They scored 113.4 points per 100 possessions during the playoffs while holding opponents to 106.5—that +6.9 net rating ranks among the most impressive in recent championship runs. Their offense flowed through Jokić's unparalleled passing vision, but it was their collective defensive improvement that truly surprised me. Aaron Gordon's versatile defense against everyone from Kevin Durant to Jimmy Butler proved invaluable, while Michael Porter Jr.'s rebounding and improved defensive awareness addressed what many analysts (myself included) considered Denver's primary weakness. Watching them switch seamlessly between defensive schemes while maintaining their offensive identity demonstrated a level of basketball maturity rarely seen in first-time champions.

The championship also validated Denver's patient approach to roster construction. While other franchises made splashy moves, the Nuggets maintained faith in their core despite Murray missing the entire 2021-22 season with an ACL injury. That patience paid dividends when Murray returned with his explosive scoring ability intact, forming what I believe is the most complementary star duo in the league. Their skills mesh perfectly—Jokić's methodical genius balances Murray's explosive creativity, creating an offensive system that's both systematic and spontaneous. Having covered teams that rushed their rebuilds or made panic moves, Denver's commitment to their vision serves as a valuable lesson in organizational discipline.

Looking ahead, Murray's post-game comments about being "hungrier to go for more" suggest Denver understands how difficult repeating will be. History hasn't been kind to first-time champions—only 11 of the last 30 title winners managed to return to the Finals the following season. The Western Conference presents numerous challenges, from Phoenix's revamped roster to Golden State's championship pedigree and Memphis's emerging talent. Still, with their core locked up through at least 2025 and Jokić just entering his prime at 28, Denver has positioned themselves for sustained success in a way that reminds me of the Spurs' dynasty—built on culture, continuity, and complementary talent rather than transient superteams.

Ultimately, Denver's championship represents more than just a franchise milestone—it signals a philosophical shift in how teams can build contenders. Their success through drafting and development offers a blueprint for smaller markets, while their unique style centered around a non-traditional superstar challenges conventional notions of roster construction. As the confetti cleared in Ball Arena last June, what struck me most wasn't the celebration itself, but the sense that we were witnessing the beginning of something special rather than its culmination. The hunger Murray described—that relentless pursuit of more—suggests this championship might be the foundation rather than the pinnacle of what this group can achieve together.