Winning back-to-back championships in the NBA has become increasingly difficult given the level of talent across the league today. Over the past decade, only the Golden State Warriors have achieved this feat.

Consider the five teams that won the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Denver Nuggets last season: the Warriors in 2022, the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and the Warriors in 2019. None of these teams advanced past the second round the following year.

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are on the verge of breaking that trend. With one more victory, they can halt the streak and appear poised to defy the odds against consecutive championships.

In their recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jokic’s remarkable performance of 40 points and 13 assists propelled the Nuggets to a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series. They now have the opportunity to eliminate the Timberwolves in Game 6.

Acknowledging the Nuggets’ current momentum, Wolves guard Anthony Edwards admitted that his team needs to shift the momentum back in their favor.

Interestingly, the Nuggets found inspiration from their defeat by the Timberwolves in Game 2, which served as a wake-up call for the reigning NBA champions to reclaim their identity and intensity.

Over the past decade, only the Warriors in 2017 and 2018 have managed to win consecutive championships. Subsequently, they faced playoff setbacks in the following years, along with other past champions like the Lakers and the Bucks.

The Nuggets, led by the dominant presence of Jokic, have not only demonstrated their offensive prowess but have also exposed vulnerabilities in the league’s top defenses. Sharpshooting from secondary scorers like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been instrumental in their success.

Furthermore, their defensive adjustments against All-Star Anthony Edwards after his standout performance in Game 4 have proven effective, limiting his impact on the court.

Despite facing adversity, Minnesota remains determined to bounce back and regain control of the series, emphasizing the team’s collective resolve and determination to reclaim their winning form.