After a 47-year wait, the Nuggets have finally secured an NBA title. And of course there had to be a proper celebration.
Players, coaches, executives and employees of the Nuggets paraded through the streets of Denver Thursday as part of the organization’s championship parade. As head coach Michael Malone has repeatedly told us, they hope this ceremony will be the first of many.
“The last step after being a champion is to be a dynasty. So we’re not satisfied.” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone after a Game 5 win over the Heat. “We’ve accomplished something this franchise has never accomplished before, but we have a lot of young, talented players in this dressing room.”
“I think we just showed what we’re capable of on the biggest stage in the world with 16 playoff wins.”
But Thursday was all about enjoying the celebrations and sharing special moments with their biggest supporters.
The Sporting News followed the best moments of the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA Championship Parade.
MORE: How the NBA title confirms Nikola Jokic’s place among the all-time greats
Live updates, highlights and reactions from the Nuggets Championship Parade
(All times Eastern.)
2:44 p.m – Aaron Gordon thanks the fans in attendance and that concludes today’s ceremonies. But something tells me the party is just beginning. It was a special day in Denver.
2:42 p.m — Here’s a look at the size of the crowd that had gathered to watch the rally. Incredible support from Nuggets Nation.
Scene from Denver at the Nuggets Championship Parade ???? pic.twitter.com/X6K0Rm8jCH
– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 15, 2023
2:41 p.m – Has Bruce Brown indicated that he will remain in Denver?
Bruce Brown “One more year?” ???? pic.twitter.com/fnKY0qAvGQ
— Nuggets World ???? (@NuggetsWorldd) June 15, 2023
2:39 p.m — Jeff Green is thrilled after securing the first title of his long NBA career.
“All I have to say is… MILE HIGH BABY!”
Jeff Green gets the fans pumping as he celebrates Denver’s first championship! #Bring it in
Watch on NBA TV and the NBA App: https://t.co/Y9eOWIeBoi pic.twitter.com/T7lHhO6aVU
– NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2023
2.30 — After his initial reluctance to take part in today’s parade, Jokic appears to have changed his mind. “You know I said I didn’t want to stay in the parade” he says. “I want f—–g to stay on parade. This is the best time of my f—–g life.”
2:24 p.m – “We’ll undo it” proclaims Michael Malone to the masses listening. He really, really wants to win another ring.
2:21pm – How about this Jamal Murray beer can?
Jamal Murray is about to play WR for the Broncos after this Nuggets championship save ????????
(above @SportsLine) pic.twitter.com/5MJ4wvQrjR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
1:59 p.m – The parade has arrived at the Denver City Council building where the rally is scheduled to begin shortly.
1:55 p.m — Malone got very emotional during an interview with local media in Denver. “It means the world to me to share this with our fans,” he says.
Michael Malone Gets Emotional During Nuggets Parade: ‘It’s Hitting Me Right Now’ pic.twitter.com/C5SD1aywSJ
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 15, 2023
1:43 p.m — What a mistake by the head coach! And yes, he seems a little tipsy. But hey, I think he deserves it.
Michael Malone might be the drunkest person at the Nuggets Parade pic.twitter.com/nzOJqCbTq3
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 15, 2023
1:36 p.m — Michael Malone gave the assembled fans a champagne shower. They didn’t seem to mind.
Michael Malone is ruthless ???????? pic.twitter.com/K1QjLwuoJy
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 15, 2023
1:31 p.m — To be clear, if you see accounts on Twitter saying no one came to today’s parade, you’re dead wrong. Downtown Denver is teeming with people, and the crowd stretches from the City Council building to the Colorado State Capitol. It rocks in the Mile High City.
1:28 p.m — Ognjena Jokic looks confused at the crowd that has gathered to watch her and her father drive by.
Jokic and his daughter celebrate at the Nuggets Championship Parade ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JqL4Vupmwi
— ESPN (@espn) June 15, 2023
1:22 p.m — Jokic had to protect his daughter from a barrage of champagne coming towards her.
Nikola Jokic protects his daughter from champagne at the Nuggets parade ????
(above: @madenojada) pic.twitter.com/Vv4ZF1xM2L
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 15, 2023
1:14 p.m — Based on available footage, KCP has already drunk at least four beers at the parade. But who counts?
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a chug contest with a Nuggets fan at the championship parade ????????
(above @nick_rothschild)pic.twitter.com/Vc2k6c9MgW
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
1:11 p.m — It’s 11:11 am in Denver and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is already drinking beer, literally and figuratively.
Kentavious Caldwell Pope goes wild at the Nuggets Championship Parade as he hits the Stone Cold Beer Smash ????????pic.twitter.com/paW9S0eKNh
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
12:55 p.m – Michael Malone reiterates his opinion from the trophy presentation. “We’re not done yet,” he says. “We’ll get another one.”
“We are not finished yet. We’re some greedy bastards, baby. We’ll get another one. And I’m out!”
Michael Malone’s hilarious message at the Nuggets Parade ????pic.twitter.com/QokeARKUGp
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
12:47 p.m — Here’s a closer look at the WWE belt Braun has been wearing all morning.
Christian Braun had that @WWE championship belt #Bring it in pic.twitter.com/jftQB0vjWY
— Myck Miller (@MyckMiller) June 15, 2023
12:44 p.m — No beer for Christian Braun. So far he’s staying bubbly and seems to be having fun.
Christian Braun experiences his best life at the Nuggets Parade ???????? pic.twitter.com/Xc21wVoKTk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 15, 2023
12:42 p.m — Impressive beer-chucking form by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. This isn’t his first rodeo, he also won a title with the Lakers in 2020.
Two-time NBA Champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope living his best life at the Nuggets Championship Parade ????????
(above @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/qpkFuUArZt
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
12:39 p.m – Jokic and Jamal Murray stand in the front and center of one of the fire engines taking part in the parade – alongside their trophies.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray perform at the Nuggets’ championship parade with trophies in tow ????
(via Snapchat/Nate) pic.twitter.com/FVToLgcETv
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
12:32 p.m — Bruce Brown or JR Smith? Smith famously spent an entire summer shirtless after the Cavaliers won the title in 2016.
“I feel great! That’s great!”
Bruce Brown takes inspiration from JR Smith’s book when he performs shirtless at the Nuggets Parade ????pic.twitter.com/E1TU60eRVA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
12:30 pm — Christian Braun is on fire after winning a title in his rookie season.
Christian Braun IS POWER as the Nuggets celebrate their NBA Championship!
???? Live on NBA TV
Follow the save on the NBA app:
???? https://t.co/Y9eOWIeBoi pic.twitter.com/e8zJOWlyuq
– NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2023
12:25 p.m – Well-executed throw and catch here to provide DeAndre Jordan with a celebration beer.
DeAndre Jordan channels his inner cold and drinks beer before the Nuggets parade ????
(above @deandre/ I G) pic.twitter.com/FblhhfTJ4k
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 15, 2023
12:15 p.m — Nikola Jokic and his daughter Ognjena seem ready to start.
Funny family ready for the parade!#Bring it in
Watch the Denver Championship Parade at 12:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
???? https://t.co/Y9eOWIeBoi pic.twitter.com/pOLbEwlCOE
– NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2023
12:03 p.m – And let’s go! Vehicles are moving around Denver as the parade begins.
THE NUGGETS PARADE HAS STARTED‼️ Get ready Nuggets Nation! ???? #KOAParade pic.twitter.com/uCdHichrVW
— KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (@KOAColorado) June 15, 2023
11:58 a.m – Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is ready for today’s parade.
Confirmed: Parade ready ???? pic.twitter.com/Iho6GBFSiu
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 15, 2023
Here’s how to watch the Nuggets’ championship parade
- TV channel: NBA TV | High altitude sports | Denver7
- Streaming: Sling TV | NBA.com | Denver 8TV | Denver7.com
The championship parade will be broadcast on NBA TV. Fans in the Denver area can watch the event on Altitude Sports and Denver7.
The celebrations can also be streamed on Sling TV, NBA.com, Denver 8 TV and Denver7.com.
Fans in the US can watch the Nuggets’ championship parade on Sling TV, where they’re now getting half their first month’s discount! Stream the sports you love for as little as $20 your first month with Sling Orange.
SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish
When is the Nuggets’ NBA Championship Parade?
- Date: Thursday 15 June
- Time: noon ET | 10 a.m. MT
Pre-rally activities begin at 9am local time and the Championship Parade begins at 10am local time on Thursday 15 June.
The celebrations are expected to end at 2:00 p.m. local time.
See you all at the parade ????
➡️ https://t.co/b6uZCN3ZYo pic.twitter.com/z5jV29iwtq
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 13, 2023
Nuggets NBA Championship Parade route map
Map of the Nuggets’ NBA championship rally
