Nuggets’ NBA victory parade spirals into chaos when two people are shot and a cop is run over
The end of the Denver Nuggets’ victory parade ended in chaos on Thursday when two people were injured in a shooting and a cop was run over by a fire truck carrying superstars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Police say the shooting occurred near the intersection of 17th Street and Curtis Street, near where thousands of fans gathered to celebrate the team’s first-ever NBA championship.
Two people were reportedly injured in the shooting, but their condition is currently unknown and it remains unclear what caused the shooting.
About an hour earlier, police reported that an officer at the end of the parade route had been hit by a fire truck and taken to a local hospital. Nuggets superstars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, as well as the Larry O’Brien trophy, were all on the fire truck when the incident happened.
The officer is now in stable condition, Denver police said online, but suffered a “serious lower leg injury.” The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The mayhem on Thursday comes just days after another shooting that left nine people injured as they celebrated the Nuggets’ victory over the Miami Heat.
Glass was seen shattered Thursday in downtown Denver, where police say at least two people were shot
Denver Police closed off the area around 17th Street and Curtis Street after a shooting that left two people injured on Thursday
Nikola Jokic (right) and Jamal Murray are seen atop a vehicle during the celebration of the Nuggets championship
Thousands of fans filled the area after the Nuggets won their first NBA championship, beating the Heat in five games
Fans had come out in droves on Thursday to celebrate the Nuggets’ victory with the team.
Nikola Jokic amused fans and reporters after his team’s Game 5 victory when he said he “needed[s] to go home’ to see his horses.
But the two-time MVP was at the parade with his family alongside the other Denver players and coaches who made the historic title win possible.
Jokic is coming off a historic playoff appearance, where he became the first player to lead the league in total points (600), rebounds (269) and assists (190) in a single postseason.
The two-time NBA MVP also added more hardware to his resume and captured the Finals MVP.
Fans went wild as Jokic drove past them in Denver, as champagne sprayed into the air during the title celebration
Fans watch the Nuggets victory parade and rally after winning the 2023 NBA Championship at Civic Center Park
A fan holds a clipping of Nikola Jokic, who played in the postseason and led the playoffs in points, rebounds and assists
The spotlight-averse Jokic had said he lost his Finals MVP trophy following the team’s 94-89 victory over the Heat on Monday.
But the center apparently found it because it was displayed on the vehicle on Thursday.
With the season officially concluded, Jokic will soon be heading home to Sombor, Serbia, to spend time with his family and return to his other passion: horse racing.
He hopes to be back in time to attend a trot race on Sunday.
Jokic held his young daughter sweetly and kissed him during the parade, while others of the Nuggets were in more of a celebratory mood.
Guard Kentavious-Caldwell Pope had one Beer drinking contest with a fanand also did Stone Cold Steve Austin’s patented beer smash, where he crushed two cans of beer on his face before throwing them on the street.
Even coach Michael Malone got in on the act when he sprayed champagne on Nuggets fans.
Malone also had a rash prediction for his Denver group.
Nikola Jokic holds his young daughter during Thursday’s Nuggets title celebrations in Denver as fans watch
Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. sits on a vehicle during the Nuggets victory parade on Thursday
Christian Braun attends the Denver Nuggets Championship Parade on Thursday with a WWE belt on his shoulder
The Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky is seen riding a truck during Thursday’s Denver Nuggets victory parade and rally
A young fan celebrates at a rally and parade celebrating the first NBA basketball championship at Denver Nuggets
A fan holds up a counterfeit Larry O’Brien trophy, given to the NBA champions, during Thursday’s parade
“We’re not done yet,” he said on top of a vehicle. “We’re a bunch of greedy bastards, honey. We’ll get another one.’
The Denver coach also got a little introspective on the emotional day, choking on a other interview.
“Life is about moments. And what we just achieved, 47 years in the making,” he said, thanking the team’s fans for their support and patience.
“I have a crazy idea, let’s do this again.”
Vegas apparently agrees with Malone’s confidence, as the Nuggets were listed as betting favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy next year after beating Miami.
Following the win, Denver was listed as +475 favorites by Caesars Sportsbook.
Only three other teams have single-digit odds: the Celtics (+575), the Bucks (+700), and the Suns (+850).
The Lakers (+1100), Warriors (+1100) and Sixers (+1200) are next on the list.
The Nuggets wrapped up an impressive postseason by defeating the Heat in the Final on Monday in Game 5.
The Nuggets finished 16-4 in the playoffs, tied by an NBA champion since the first round was extended to best-of-seven in 2003.
San Antonio was also 16-4 in 2007 and Golden State went 16-1 in 2017.