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

I still remember the final buzzer of Game 6 last June—the confetti raining down, the roar of the Denver crowd, and Nikola Jokić lifting that Larry O'Brien trophy with a look of pure, unadulterated joy. As someone who's followed the NBA for over two decades, I've seen dynasties rise and fall, but what the Denver Nuggets accomplished last season felt different. It wasn't just about winning; it was about how they did it—with patience, chemistry, and a level of basketball intelligence we rarely see in today's game. When Jokić later reflected, "Here we are, finally with two championships. What a journey it has been and I've never been hungrier to go for more," it perfectly captured the ethos of this team. They weren't satisfied with just one ring—they were already thinking about the next.

The road to that championship was anything but straightforward. Denver finished the regular season with a 53-29 record, good for the top seed in the Western Conference. But what really stood out to me was their consistency. They weren't flashy—they were methodical. Night after night, they executed their system with surgical precision. Jokić, of course, was the engine. The man averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists during the regular season, numbers that somehow don't even do justice to his impact. Watching him play is like watching a chess grandmaster who happens to be seven feet tall. He sees passing lanes that don't exist yet, makes decisions at a pace that defies logic, and somehow makes everyone around him better. Jamal Murray's return from that devastating ACL injury was another key factor—his playoff performances were nothing short of legendary, averaging 26.1 points in the postseason.

Their playoff run was a masterclass in team basketball. First, they dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games—a series that was closer than it looked on paper. Then came the real test: the Phoenix Suns with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. That series went to six games, but Denver's depth and versatility ultimately proved too much. The conference finals against the Lakers felt like a coronation waiting to happen. LeBron James put up heroic numbers—averaging 28.9 points in that series—but Denver's team-oriented approach neutralized LA's star power. What impressed me most was how different players stepped up at different moments. Whether it was Aaron Gordon's defensive versatility, Michael Porter Jr.'s clutch shooting, or Bruce Brown's energy off the bench, everyone had a role and executed it perfectly.

The Finals against the Miami Heat showcased Denver's adaptability. Miami's zone defense caused problems initially, but Denver adjusted beautifully. Jokić's Game 3 performance—32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists—was one of the greatest in Finals history. People sometimes criticize his lack of athleticism, but I've always believed his basketball IQ more than compensates. He dismantles defenses not with brute force, but with anticipation and creativity. Meanwhile, Murray's 30-point outburst in Game 4 essentially sealed the series. The way those two play off each other reminds me of some of the great duos in NBA history—there's a telepathic connection there that you can't coach.

Looking back, what made this championship so special was its organic nature. This wasn't a superteam assembled through free agency—this was a core that grew together, struggled together, and ultimately triumphed together. They drafted Jokić in the second round, developed Murray through his early growing pains, and built around them with complementary pieces that actually fit. In today's NBA where player movement dominates headlines, Denver's homegrown success feels refreshingly authentic. Their championship validates the importance of organizational patience and coherent team-building—something I wish more franchises would prioritize over quick fixes.

The numbers tell part of the story—Denver went 16-4 in the playoffs, Jokić averaged 30.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in the Finals—but they don't capture the emotional journey. From Jokić's humble beginnings as the 41st pick to Murray's injury rehabilitation to finally reaching the summit, this was a championship earned through perseverance. And that quote from Jokić about being "hungrier to go for more" speaks volumes about their mentality. Most champions talk about enjoying the moment—Denver's already focused on building a legacy. Personally, I believe they have a real chance to repeat if they can maintain this hunger. The Western Conference will be tougher than ever with Phoenix reloading and Golden State still lurking, but Denver's core remains intact and their system is proven.

What Denver accomplished last season should be studied by basketball purists for years to come. They demonstrated that in an era obsessed with three-point shooting and individual accolades, fundamental team basketball still wins championships. Their ball movement, player movement, and defensive connectivity were a throwback to how the game was meant to be played. As we look ahead to the new season, the question isn't just whether Denver can repeat—it's whether the rest of the league will learn from their blueprint. One thing's for certain: after tasting that championship glory, Jokić and company aren't going to rest on their laurels. That hunger he mentioned? That's what separates good teams from legendary ones. And something tells me we haven't seen the last of Denver's championship celebrations.