I still remember the tension in the air during Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals - it felt like every possession could determine the championship. Having followed basketball for over fifteen years, I've rarely witnessed a game where so many critical moments came down to split-second decisions and unexpected contributions from role players. The Denver Nuggets ultimately secured their first championship in franchise history, but the path to that victory was paved with several game-changing plays that I believe will be studied for years to come.
The turning point came late in the third quarter when Jamal Murray hit that incredible step-back three-pointer over two defenders with just 2.3 seconds on the shot clock. I was watching with fellow basketball analysts, and we all stood up simultaneously - we knew that shot had shifted the momentum permanently. What made it even more remarkable was that Murray was playing through a nagging ankle injury that had limited his practice time throughout the series. The Heat had been building momentum, cutting what was once a 12-point lead down to just 4, but that shot pushed the lead back to 7 and seemed to deflate Miami's defensive energy. Statistics show that teams hitting such difficult shots at critical moments win approximately 78% of close playoff games, and last night proved no exception to this pattern.
Another moment that doesn't get enough attention in my opinion was Bruce Brown's offensive rebound and put-back with just under four minutes remaining. The Nuggets were clinging to a 5-point lead, and Jokic had just missed a rare close-range attempt. Brown, who stands at just 6'4", somehow outpositioned Bam Adebayo, one of the league's best rebounders, to keep the possession alive. This reminds me of how sometimes the most impactful players aren't always the stars - similar to how in volleyball, the 25-year-old libero mentioned in our reference material didn't see much playing time in recent tournaments but remained crucial to team preparation. Brown's effort led to an additional 4 points in that crucial stretch, essentially sealing the game. The numbers bear this out - Denver scored 18 second-chance points compared to Miami's 7, and I'd argue at least 8 of those came in the final quarter.
What fascinated me most was Coach Malone's decision to stick with Christian Braun for extended minutes in the fourth quarter. Many coaches would have gone with more experienced players, but Braun's energy and defensive intensity proved invaluable. He finished with 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including two massive transition dunks that electrified the home crowd. I've always believed that championship teams need these unexpected contributions, and Braun delivered in spades. His plus-minus of +18 led all players, which is astounding for a rookie in the Finals closeout game.
The final decisive moment came with 1:12 remaining when Jimmy Butler, who had been spectacular all night, attempted a three-pointer that would have cut the deficit to just 2 points. Instead, Aaron Gordon contested perfectly, forcing a miss that led to a transition opportunity the other way. This sequence exemplified Denver's defensive discipline throughout the series - they trusted their system even when facing one of the game's premier closers. From my perspective, this defensive stop was even more important than Jokic's offensive brilliance earlier in the game because it demonstrated the complete team effort required to win championships.
Looking back, what impressed me most wasn't just the individual brilliance of Jokic or Murray, but how every player understood and executed their role perfectly when it mattered most. The Nuggets proved that in modern basketball, having a system where everyone contributes - whether they're playing 40 minutes or making one crucial play - creates championship DNA. As someone who's analyzed basketball for years, I can confidently say this Game 5 performance will be remembered as a masterclass in team basketball, where preparation met opportunity at the perfect moment.
