Nikola Jokic lives up to his reputation with ice-cool interview amid Nuggets’ NBA title celebrations

NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic summed up he and the Denver Nuggets’ historic first championship victory with a simple yet savage line.

‘The job is done, we can go home now,’ Jokic said during his post-game interview.

Jokic ended the game with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists as he lead the Nuggets to a 94-89 victory over the Miami Heat.

At the buzzer, the cameras cut straight to the Serbian star, and rather than celebrate with his teammates, he was gracious in victory and made sure to shake the hands of all the Miami players.

Ever the cool professional, he then demonstrated the same calmness he does on the court when celebrating with his teammates and young daughter.

Nikola Jokic summed up the end of Denver’s championship season perfectly as he said: ‘The job is done, we can go home now’

Jokic had another standout performance as he helped Denver win their first ever NBA Finals

On the court, to add to Jokic’s standout performance, Michael Porter Jr. put up 16 points and 13 rebounds, Jamal Murray had 14 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 11.

Denver advanced to the ABA Finals in 1976, joined the NBA the following season then lost in the Western Conference finals four times before making the title series this season.

Jimmy Butler rallied late to score 21 points for Miami, while Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds and Max Strus and Kyle Lowry each had 12 points. The Heat knocked off the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the second-seeded Boston Celtics on their way to representing the Eastern Conference in the Finals.

The Heat became just the second eighth seed to reach an NBA Finals, joining the 1999 New York Knicks, who lost the title series to the San Antonio Spurs.

Perhaps struggling with the magnitude of the moment, the Nuggets shot just 1 of 15 from 3-point range in the first half and 3 of 8 from the free-throw line. However, they trailed just 51-44 at halftime before leading by as many as three points in the third quarter. Denver entered the fourth quarter trailing 71-70.

Jokic lifted the NBA Finals MVP trophy while holding his young child during the ceremony

A jump hook by Jokic early in the final period gave the Nuggets a 72-71 lead with 11:39 to play before both teams ramped up their defensive intensity. After neither side scored for a 2:35 stretch, Jamal Murray’s 14-foot pullup jumper gave Denver an 81-76 advantage with 6:43 left.

A Jokic runner put the Nuggets up 83-76 with 4:43 remaining as the Heat opened the fourth quarter 2 of 16 from the field. Butler came to life in the final period, scoring the team’s last 13 points, including three free throws that were awarded even though he kicked out his right leg and caught an opponent on a 3-point attempt. However, Miami did not score over the final 1:57.

A Bruce Brown rebound and putback basket put the Nuggets up 90-89 with 1:31 remaining, and a steal followed by two free throws from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 24.7 seconds left gave Denver a 92-89 lead.

Butler missed a 3-point attempt with 17.1 seconds remaining, and Brown sealed the title with two free throws for a 94-89 advantage with 14.3 seconds left.