Who Won the NBA Championship Last Season? Complete Finals Recap and Analysis

Let me take you back to that electric moment when the final buzzer sounded in Denver last June. I still get chills thinking about how the Nuggets' championship run unfolded - it wasn't just about winning, but how they won that makes this story worth telling. As someone who's followed the NBA for over fifteen years, I've seen championship teams come and go, but there's something uniquely compelling about Denver's journey that deserves deeper examination.

The Nuggets' path to their first franchise championship was nothing short of masterful. They finished the regular season with 53 wins, good for the top seed in the Western Conference, though honestly, many analysts (myself included initially) doubted whether their style could translate to playoff success. Watching them dismantle opponents felt different though - there was a method to their madness that became increasingly apparent as the playoffs progressed. They swept the Timberwolves, handled the Suns in six games, and then completely outclassed the Lakers in a sweep that wasn't even as close as it looked. When they faced the Miami Heat in the finals, it felt like destiny - though Miami put up a respectable fight, Denver's dominance was undeniable. The clinching Game 5 victory saw Nikola Jokić put up 28 points and 16 rebounds, a fitting end to one of the most impressive individual playoff runs I've ever witnessed.

Which brings us to the core question every basketball fan has been asking: who won the NBA championship last season? The answer goes beyond just naming the Denver Nuggets. What made their victory so significant was how it challenged conventional basketball wisdom. For years, the league had been moving toward positionless basketball and switch-everything defenses, yet here came Denver winning with a center as their primary playmaker and an offense built around two-man actions that everyone knew was coming but nobody could stop. I remember arguing with colleagues about whether a team built around Jokić could actually win it all - we were so caught up in modern analytics that we overlooked the timeless value of having the best player on the court every single night.

The turning point came when Jamal Murray truly found his form after his injury recovery. Watching his transformation throughout the playoffs reminded me why we love sports comebacks. His 26.1 points per game in the finals, combined with Jokić's historic triple-double averages, created an offensive synergy that Miami simply had no answer for. What impressed me most wasn't just their scoring - it was their decision-making in clutch moments. In Game 2, when Miami threatened to steal home-court advantage, Denver's execution down the stretch was practically flawless. They scored on 8 of their final 9 possessions, a level of efficiency that championship teams display when it matters most.

Reflecting on their achievement, Jokić's post-championship comments perfectly capture what made this team special: "Here we are, finally with two championships. What a journey it has been and I've never been hungrier to go for more." That statement resonates with me because it reflects the mindset I've seen in all great champions - the satisfaction of achievement immediately followed by the desire for more. It's what separated Denver from previous one-hit wonders and suggests they might be building something lasting. Having covered multiple championship teams throughout my career, I can tell you that hunger after winning is the rarest and most valuable commodity in sports.

What Denver accomplished should change how organizations think about team construction. While everyone was chasing the next superteam, the Nuggets demonstrated the power of continuity and internal development. Their core players had been together for multiple seasons, developing chemistry that can't be manufactured overnight. Michael Porter Jr.'s evolution into a reliable two-way player, Aaron Gordon's seamless fit as the defensive anchor - these developments didn't happen by accident. They resulted from a clear organizational vision and patience that's increasingly rare in today's instant-gratification NBA culture. Frankly, as much as I enjoy the drama of free agency and big trades, there's something refreshing about seeing a team built through draft development and strategic additions rather than just collecting stars.

The financial aspect of their success deserves mention too. While Jokić's supermax contract kicks in this coming season, Denver managed to win their championship before his salary ballooned to nearly 35% of the cap. That timing matters - it gave them the flexibility to surround him with the perfect complementary pieces. Looking ahead, maintaining this roster will become increasingly challenging as financial realities set in. But for now, they've created a blueprint that other small-market teams should study carefully. It proves that with the right superstar and proper supporting cast construction, market size doesn't have to determine destiny.

Watching the celebration unfold, I couldn't help but feel we were witnessing the beginning of something special rather than the culmination. The way this team is constructed, with most key players in their prime and a coaching staff that has perfected their system, suggests this might not be their last championship. The Western Conference will be tougher next season for sure - Phoenix reloaded, Golden State still has their core, Memphis gets Ja Morant back - but Denver has established themselves as the team to beat. And based on what we saw last season, that's a position they seem quite comfortable occupying.