NBA Finals Game 5 live score: Nuggets close out Heat, win first championship

Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets hosted Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat for Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Monday night. The Nuggets had a 3-1 series lead after picking up a Game 4 win on the road Friday. Denver is making their first Finals appearance, while Miami is playing in its seventh franchise appearance and its first since the 2020 bubble season.

USA TODAY Sports will bring you the latest news, updates, analysis and more throughout Game 5. Follow along.

Nikola Jokic, Nuggets win first NBA title in Game 5 nail-biter over Heat

For the first time in franchise history the Denver Nuggets are NBA champions.

The Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 94-89 to clinch the best-of-seven series 4-1 and win the NBA Finals.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had a game-high 28 points and 16 rebounds in the win.

The gritty Heat led for most of the game, but the Nuggets fought back in the third quarter and only trailed 71-70 entering the fourth quarter. Denver and Miami traded blows in the final quarter, but the Nuggets were able to get timely stops down the stretch and made clutch free throws to seal the game.

— Tyler Dragon

Third quarter update: Heat 71, Nuggets 70

After being down 51-44 at halftime, the Nuggets were able to generate some momentum in the third quarter. Jamal Murray drilled a three to tie the game 60-60 with 6:46 in third quarter and forced a Heat timeout.

At the time it was only Denver’s second made 3-point field goal of the game.

Despite the rough shooting from behind the arc, Denver was able to trim its deficit 71-70 at the end of the third quarter in large part because of Michael Porter Jr. The small forward had a creative drive and finish in transition.

Porter also made a three to give the Nuggets a brief lead. Porter has 16 points entering the fourth quarter.

Bam Adebayo has a team-best 20 points for the Heat.

― Tyler Dragon

Terrible shooting from long range

The Nuggets haven't been able to find their touch from three-point range. Denver was 2-20 on three-point field goals at the 3:58 mark of the third quarter. The Heat haven't shot much better. Miami's shooting 5-22 from behind the arc.

Halftime update: Heat 51, Nuggets 44

The Heat took their momentum from the end of the first quarter into the second while Denver had foul trouble. Besides Aaron Gordon picking up his third foul of the half, Jamal Murray committed a shooting foul on Jimmy Butler midway through the quarter that had the crowd at Ball Arena booing loudly. Butler made both his free throws.

Bruce Brown had a steal and a layup that brought the Nuggets to within four and forced Erik Spoelstra to call a timeout. The Heat outscored Denver 12-9 from there, but neither team’s shots were falling consistently.

A long toss from Jokic at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

Bam Adebayo leads the Heat with 18 points and nine rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. and Jokic each have nine points for the Nuggets. Murray has been held to four points. He’s averaged 23 in the series.

― Victoria Hernandez

Aaron Gordon in early foul trouble

Aaron Gordon found himself on the bench in the first half.

The Nuggets power forward picked up his third personal foul with over nine minutes remaining in the second quarter. Nuggets coach Mike Malone quickly subbed Gordon out following his third foul.

The Nuggets trailed 30-27 when Gordon checked out of the lineup.

Gordon had a breakout performance in Denver's Game 4 win with a game-high 27 points.

― Tyler Dragon

First quarter update: Heat 24, Nuggets 22

Neither team started well. The Nuggets committed four turnovers in the first four minutes of the opening quarter, and the Heat missed 12 of their first 14 shots.

The Nuggets found composure and took a 12-5 lead ‒ after falling behind 5-0 to start the game. Miami settled in, too, getting production from Bam Adebayo (14 points, six rebounds) and Max Strrus (eight points), who combined for 22 of Miami’s 24 points in the first quarter.

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had three points, three rebounds and two assists, but he picked up his second foul with 2:51 left in the quarter, sending him to the bench. Jokic’s foul situation is worth watching. He had foul trouble in Game 4, but the Nuggets managed the minutes without him on the court. Michael Porter Jr. led the Nuggets with seven points and seven rebounds.

Denver was 10-for-24 from the field but just 1-for-8 on 3-pointers; Miami was 10-for-28 and 1-for-6.

— Jeff Zillgitt 

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats performed Game 5 national anthem

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats gave a folksy rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” at Ball Arena ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The group wore Denver Nuggets shirts as they stood at center court together while the arena lit up in red, white and blue lights.

The group, who also performed the national anthem ahead of Game 1, is best known for their platinum-certified song “S.O.B.” They released their newest EP, “What If” earlier this month.

— Victoria Hernandez

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Finals live score: Heat-Nuggets Game 5 updates, stats, highlights