Gallery: Denver Nuggets 2023 Championship Parade

The Denver Nuggets had to wait 47 years in the NBA and 56 years overall before winning a professional basketball championship.

I moved to Denver in September 2022, so the wait wasn’t quite as long and painful for me.

All jokes aside, it’s been incredible to watch and be a part of the Denver Nuggets 2022-23 title run. To hear me gush about the circumstances and what this championship means for the Nuggets as well as key players like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, check out my 2023 NBA Finals conclusion write-up.

But on June 15, 2023, there remained one more commitment on the 2022-23 Denver Nuggets schedule: the victory parade down the streets of Denver, culminating in a rally at Civic Center Park.

With the Nuggets winning in five games, the parade lined up perfectly with my day off from work. I woke up early, hit the light rail to avoid the craziness of getting in and out of downtown Denver, and set out to attend the first ever professional basketball championship parade the city of Denver has ever hosted.

2023 Denver Nuggets Victory Parade and Rally

After waking up at 6:30 AM, my girlfriend and I hit the E Line to head downtown, grab breakfast with a friend, and snag a good spot on the parade route.

The RTD Light Rail was packed: the first car we saw was packed to the brim and the patrons shrugged at us as if there was absolutely no room. We were able to squeeze in to one of the cars, but it was easily the most packed I’ve ever seen Denver transit.

An electronic mural showing Jamal Murray’s ascent from Playoff Murray to Finals Murray, and at last, Champion Murray.

Our first look at the parade route and blocked off street

17th Street was the final stretch before the parade concluded at Civic Center Park. This was at about 9:30 AM.

The only picture in this article I didn’t take: my friend decided to post up near Ball Arena to see the players depart for the parade, and got this incredible shot of Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic with his daughter, and the Larry O’Brien Trophy. (Photo Credit: Nick Gonda)

This was the spot we ended up deciding on, a crowded stretch right before Civic Center Park itself.

The Denver Nuggets website did advise patrons not to bring “anything not legal to consume in public” including alcohol and marijuana. As you may imagine, for the historic day, there was no enforcement of those rules. After all, even the players were chugging beers and liquor on the fire trucks and on the ground with fans.

The always excellent Skyline Drumline from Ball Arena!

The best mascot in the NBA, Rocky! Seeing Rocky out of his element and in the parade definitely gave me a “wow, this is actually happening” moment.

Denver Nuggets dancers

One of Ball Arena’s in-house entertainment groups, the Average Joe’s

After some floats that left fans wondering “who?” (likely friends and family, office staff, etc.,) Reggie Jackson was the first player to come through in the parade.

The shirtless rookies roll through: Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Hopefully the Nuggets grabbed some non-alcoholic drinks for Watson: who is only 20 years old.

One of my favorite shots, just an awesome vibe to see the players so casual right in front of me.

Another look at the crowd on 17th Street

A starter approaches: Michael Porter Jr.

Two more players approach: veterans Ish Smith and Jeff Green

Shirtless “Uncle” Jeff Green taking in his first NBA Championship Parade

On his 7th team since entering the league in 2008, DeAndre Jordan is an NBA Champion for the first time.

Bruce Brown getting rained down on with “Bruuuuuce” chants. Brown will be a free agent this summer, and the fanbase is very intent on convincing Brown to run it back for at least one more season.

A bit blurry, but head coach Michael Malone on the left. There was a considerable gap between the truck before Malone’s and his eventual appearance: and it seems to be because Malone was signing literally anything thrown to him, taking a little extra time to make sure the item got back to its owner.

Now two-time NBA Champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with his family

And Aaron Gordon hiding on the back of KCP’s truck! For the energy Gordon brings to the fans and city, I’m surprised he wasn’t on the front hyping up the crowd.

The climatic truck of the parade approached: carrying two-time NBA MVP and Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, superstar Jamal Murray, and the beautiful, shiny, Larry O’Brien Trophy

Jamal Murray holding a Nikola Jokic jersey to sign

This picture is so unintentionally funny to me

After Jokic and Murray passed, it was open game, with fans crowding the streets to follow the Nuggets to Civic Center Park.

A picture from the middle of the chaos of my girlfriend and I

There was a lot going on as police cars tried to advance the tail end of the parade. Allegedly Jokic, Murray, and the trophy had to be rolled in the final feet of the route on a SWAT tank. Unfortunately, a police officer was also apparently struck by a fire truck as he was attempting to control traffic.

Now inside Civic Center Park, where there was a brief break in the action as fans settled in ahead of the 12 PM rally.

Our initial location, off-center and with a slightly obscured view. However, we were able to inch towards a better view over time.

The best mascot in sports and the best PA announcer in the game link up once again to kick off the rally.

Jack White being honored at the rally

MVP chants, of course, as Nikola Jokic is introduced

The audio isn’t incredible here, but Jokic’s now already famous quote: “I know I said I didn’t want to stay on parade, but I f—ing want to stay on parade.”