Nuggets presented with rings, raise their first championship banner
Oct 24, 2023, 5:36 PM | Updated: 5:39 pm
The Denver Nuggets first ever championship is officially complete, after they were presented their rings and raised a championship banner on Tuesday night.
Before opening the 2023-24 season against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was time to look back. In front of the home fans at Ball Arena, the team lifted a banner to the rafters where it will hang forever. They also got to see their championship rings for the very first time.
Here are some of the highlights.
"Last year was amazing…who wants another?!"
Coach Michael Malone's message to the Denver crowd 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lltFcOuise
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 24, 2023
Jokić receives his Championship Ring! 💍 pic.twitter.com/EkJOijwfrZ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 24, 2023
Nuggets raising their Championship banner ⚒️🏆 pic.twitter.com/VlN6F8Zk9L
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 24, 2023
“Last year was amazing, we got one ring… let’s get another,” head coach Michael Malone told the crowd. “Love you!”
It was particularly cool to do this with the Lakers in town. Denver swept them in the Western Conference Finals a season ago, burying a lot of past playoff demons along the way. LeBron James threatened to retire after the series, but clearly never meant it. He was, of course, in the house on Tuesday.
And for the Nuggets it was the perfect way to commemorate a historic playoff run one last time. They went 16-4 and never played an elimination game. Denver took down Minnesota in five games, Phoenix in six, L.A. in four and the Miami Heat in five.
“Thank you for joining us all season long on our road to repeat,” forward Aaron Gordon said when he took the microphone.
And while NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic had an amazing summer, he has returned, looking to lead the team to just that — back-to-back titles. He’ll be joined by the same starting five, playing with Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr. and Gordon.
A new season has arrived, but it couldn’t begin without one more chance to celebrate last year. And the Nuggets did it right, with all the glitz and glamour you’d expect.
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