Denver, CO
Nuggets defeat Heat in NBA Finals rematch after Thomas Bryant receives championship ring mid-suspension
One of the enduring memories from the 2023 NBA Finals for Nuggets fans will always be Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray matching each other with 30-point triple-doubles in a clutch Game 3 win.
Eight months later, in their first rematch against the Miami Heat since that series, the Nuggets had to survive a half without Murray, who sprained his right ankle landing on teammate Aaron Gordon in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Jokic’s recent super-efficient stretch of games was encountering an obstacle as he shot 6 for 15 from the floor.
So the defending champs instead found life for most of the night in Michael Porter Jr., the sharpshooter who couldn’t buy a bucket in his first career NBA Finals. Porter amassed 30 points and 11 rebounds along with impressive defensive activity in a 103-97 win Thursday night at Ball Arena.
“It was a great series. … I was just looking forward to the rematch,” Porter said. “I’m so far past a bad shooting stretch in the Finals.”
The Heat trailed 94-81 with 5:19 remaining, but Terry Rozier’s shot-making helped close the gap in clutch time. After a Jokic offensive foul in the last minute with a four-point lead, Jimmy Butler scored with 10.7 seconds left to cut the deficit to 99-97. Denver wasn’t in the bonus yet, so Michael Malone used a timeout to advance the ball after Miami fouled. Jokic made a pair of foul shots to double the lead and finish the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. He came up short of joining rare company with a fifth consecutive triple-double.
“Very reminiscent of our Finals games,” Malone said.
Aaron Gordon added 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals, powering his way through the Miami frontcourt during a key stretch early in the fourth quarter as Denver (41-19) was seeking insurance on a lead that had been slimmed to two the previous frame. Gordon helped get it back to 15 before the Heat made the late push.
Thomas Bryant was the last of four former Nuggets players from the 2022-23 championship team to be honored with a pregame ring ceremony upon return to Ball Arena.
But the circumstances of Bryant’s reunion were unusual. He was still serving a three-game, league-issued suspension Thursday night after his involvement in a recent fight between Heat and Pelicans players. Suspended players typically aren’t even allowed to be present in the arena for a game from which they’re suspended, but the NBA made an exception to allow Bryant to receive his ring. He was spotted exiting Ball Arena via the loading dock about five minutes before the opening tip.
“I’m just glad that the NBA’s letting him get the moment,” Malone said. “Obviously they had the situation against New Orleans with suspensions, but that’s where I think smarter heads prevailed in allowing Thomas to get the attention, recognition and the ring in front of a crowd.”
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Denver Nuggets (7-2, third in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (3-7, 12th in the Western Conference)
Inglewood, California; Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Nuggets -2; over/under is 225.5
BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles looks to end its five-game skid when the Clippers take on Denver.
Los Angeles finished 50-32 overall and 29-23 in Western Conference action a season ago. The Clippers allowed opponents to score 108.2 points per game and shoot 46.1% from the field last season.
Denver went 50-32 overall and 32-20 in Western Conference play during the 2024-25 season. The Nuggets averaged 17.0 points off of turnovers, 14.4 second-chance points and 26.4 bench points last season.
INJURIES: Clippers: Bradley Beal: out (hip), Kawhi Leonard: out (injury management).
Nuggets: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Denver Fashion Week Streetwear show this evening, Tuesday, November 11th is a must-attend for its energetic atmosphere, celebration of local and diverse culture, and emphasis on individuality and self-expression. The event features unique collections from emerging and established designers, showcases the “Colorado cool” style, and often includes performances by local artists and musicians. Attendees can also expect to see and be inspired by the cutting-edge streetwear and sneakers of the season, with the added opportunity to showcase their own personal style.
Tickets for the Streetwear & Sneakers show are almost sold out. Reserve your tickets HERE
This season’s featured designers include:
Energetic and immersive experience
- Vibrant atmosphere: The show creates an immersive and energetic environment, often enhanced by music and performances by local artists.
- Audience participation: Attendees are encouraged to wear their best street-style outfits and sneakers, making the crowd an integral part of the spectacle.
Celebration of local and diverse culture
- “Colorado cool” style: The event showcases Denver’s unique style, which often blends functionality and layering to account for the unpredictable weather, along with influences from the city’s outdoor and creative scenes.
- Diverse designers: DFW is a platform for a wide range of talent, with many shows featuring designers from diverse backgrounds, including Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, which adds varied cultural influences to the collections.
Focus on individuality and creativity
Trendsetting: It’s a place to discover the bold and unique pieces that will define the season’s streetwear style, from limited-edition drops to cutting-edge brands.
Unique collections: Designers create individual and personal collections, sometimes drawing inspiration from their own heritage to create a unique Denver-infused vibe.
Boundary-pushing designs: The event highlights emerging and boundary-pushing designers who are creating the next wave of streetwear.
Tickets for the Streetwear & Sneakers show are almost sold out. Reserve your tickets HERE
Denver, CO
Denver police seeking hit-and-run suspect accused of seriously injuring pedestrian over the weekend
Denver police are asking the public for help identifying a driver who struck a pedestrian over the weekend and then took off.
The crash happened around 5:40 a.m. on Saturday on the southbound Interstate 25 exit ramp to East Hampden Avenue, according to DPD.
Investigators don’t have a description of the vehicle involved, but say the car struck the pedestrian and then fled west on Hampden Avenue/U.S. Highway 285.
The victim has not been identified, but police say they were seriously injured.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Denver police or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
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