Connect with us

#NNPA BlackPress

Denver Nuggets Celebrate First-Ever NBA Championship

The Denver Nuggets are celebrating their first-ever NBA Championship. The Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to win their first title — a historic breakthrough for a team that went 47 seasons without ever reaching the NBA Finals. Denver gave its fans the thrill of a lifetime, beating the Heat 94-89 last Tuesday […]
The post Denver Nuggets Celebrate First-Ever NBA Championship first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

on

The Denver Nuggets are celebrating their first-ever NBA Championship. The Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to win their first title — a historic breakthrough for a team that went 47 seasons without ever reaching the NBA Finals. Denver gave its fans the thrill of a lifetime, beating the Heat 94-89 last Tuesday night in Denver’s Ball Arena to earn their first Larry O’Brien Trophy.

First Half
Miami scored first, courtesy of a dunk by Bam Adebayo and a three-pointer by Max Strus. Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored the first points for Denver. But both teams struggled offensively to start the game: the Nuggets suffered four turnovers in the first two minutes, including a traveling call. The Heat, after making two of their first four shots, missed their next 10 as the Nuggets went on a 12-0 run.

Miami cut into their lead after a three-point play by Max Strus, but then Nuggets center Nikola Jokic hit a three-point jumper. Down 18-14, Miami went on a run: center Bam Adebayo scored eight unanswered points to help the Heat go up 22-18. Miami led Denver 24-22 at the end of the first quarter.

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Heat maintained that lead throughout the second quarter, in part due to star forward Jimmy Butler, who scored the first four points of the second. Heat players Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson helped add to the Heat’s advantage. Miami also took advantage of Denver’s poor ball security (the Nuggets had 10 turnovers in the first half). Miami’s lead swelled to 39-29 midway through the quarter.

After a pair of threes by Kyle Lowry thwarted a Denver run, Butler intercepted a Jokic cross-court pass and went in for the dunk to push the lead back to eight at 47-39 with 7:17 left. The Heat led the Nuggets 51-44 at halftime.

Second Half
In the third quarter, the Heat continued to outplay their opponents, while the Nuggets continued to struggle from behind the line. But they slowly chipped away at Miami’s lead. The Nuggets capped a 13-5 run when Denver point guard Jamal Murray hit a three to tie the game at 60 with 6:44 left in the third.

Miami fought back and went up by four. But just three minutes later, guard Kyle Lowry fell while dribbling to the basket. Caldwell-Pope grabbed the ball and drove for a layup, which he missed. But Nuggets wingman Bruce Brown tipped the ball in. On the next Miami possession, Jokic knocked the ball away from Miami guard Gabe Vincent. Denver forward Michael Porter, Jr. took the ball, drove to the hoop, dribbled between the legs and made the basket, tying the game at 64.

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Minutes later, with the game tied at 66 and just 1:18 left in the third, Porter hit a wide-open three. And just like that, Denver had its first lead since the first quarter.

It was the first sign of momentum that would carry the Nuggets to NBA gold.

Miami led 71-70 at the end of the third quarter, but Denver snatched the lead right back at the start of the fourth. They opened the final quarter with a 7-2 run; after a basket from Jokic, Murray sank a three-pointer to push the lead to four.

Lowry’s three-point shot helped the Heat pull within one, but Jokic scored after an assist by Bruce Brown.

After a long scoring drought, Murray pulled up for a jump shot that pushed Denver ahead 81-76. Jimmy Butler hit a clutch three-pointer for the first Heat points in over five minutes. Caldwell-Pope scored a three of his own, but Butler responded with another field goal, leading an 8-0 run by Miami. He made all three free throws after a controversial foul call against Aaron Gordon, then hit a 10-foot jumper that gave Miami an 87-86 lead with 2:47 remaining.

Murray found Jokic again for a finger roll. But Butler sank two more free throws with under two minutes left to put Miami up 89-88. On the Nuggets’ next possession, Brown rebounded a miss by Murray to regain the lead for Denver.

With just one minute remaining, the Nuggets were clinging to a one-point lead. Miami looked primed to seize the advantage with its next possession. But Butler’s pass to Strus got intercepted by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who took the ball in transition in what announcers called “the steal of the season.”

Caldwell-Pope was fouled on the way to the basket; he made both free throws to pad the lead, as did Bruce Brown after his foul. The Denver Nuggets beat the Heat 94-89 to win their first-ever NBA Championship.

Postgame
The crowd inside Ball Arena exploded, celebrating the franchise’s first-ever title. As the reality of the win sank in, several Nuggets players were overcome with emotion. Jamal Murray, who overcame an ACL tear that forced him to miss the entire 2021-22 season, was in tears.

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets is interviewed after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

He wept even more during his postgame interview.

The win was particularly sweet for three NBA veterans. Jeff Green just won his first ring at 36, after playing for 11 teams in 15 seasons. (He missed the entire 2012 season after having heart surgery.) “This is what you live for,” he told ESPN reporter Scott Van Pelt. Green’s teammate Ishmael “Ish” Smith holds the record for the most franchises by one player. (He started his career with the Houston Rockets in 2010 and has played for a record 13 teams.) And center DeAndre Jordan, born in Houston, has worked on eight different teams in 15 years. The three celebrated their win together.

The post Denver Nuggets Celebrate First-Ever NBA Championship appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Denver Nuggets Celebrate First-Ever NBA Championship first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Forward Times Staff

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

#NNPA BlackPress

2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?

AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Published

on

The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.

Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.

Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.

Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.

On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.

There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.

Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.


AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.
How to use the channel:

Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

Live talk show “AutoNetwork Reports” — Thursdays 3:00 PM ET.
🌐 AutoNetwork.com
💰 CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

Continue Reading

#NNPA BlackPress

Snoop Dogg Celebrates 10 Til’ Midnight at the Compound

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles.

Published

on

By

Snoop Dogg celebrated the premiere of 10 Til’ Midnight at his Inglewood recording studio & multipurpose facility, The Compound, but the night felt like much more than an album release. It felt like Los Angeles. It felt like legacy. And it felt like another major move from one of the city’s greatest cultural architects as he continues to prove that he is not just dropping music — he is building moments, shaping narratives, and pushing the culture forward in real time.

What made the event so powerful was the clarity behind the vision. During a panel conversation with DJ Hed, Snoop opened up about the heart behind 10 Til’ Midnight, explaining that the project was created to help bridge older and younger generations while also speaking to the long-standing divisions between Bloods and Crips in a unique way through film. That alone gave the project a different kind of weight. This was not just about songs. This was about using creativity as a tool for connection. This was about taking a story rooted in Los Angeles and telling it in a way that could bring people together.

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles. The film was shot in the city, including at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, which gave the entire project an even deeper hometown feel. It was not just a West Coast story in content — it was a Los Angeles-made production from the ground up.

That matters because, in a city like this, authenticity still carries weight. Snoop understands how to make sure that what he creates does not just represent Los Angeles on the surface, but actually comes from it.

What also makes 10 Til’ Midnight significant is that it represents another major step in Snoop’s evolution as both an artist and executive. Public reporting around the project identifies it as his 22nd studio album, but the bigger story is what it represents in this season of his life. This is one of several consecutive moves he has made in his 50s that show he is still building, still expanding, and still finding new ways to reinvent what the next chapter looks like.

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Now, as the head of Death Row Records and the newly aligned leader of Death Row Pictures, he is taking the brand into a new dimension. That is what made this moment feel bigger than music. Snoop is not just protecting the legacy of Death Row — he is stretching it. He is expanding it beyond records and into film, visual storytelling, and larger creative worlds that can continue carrying the label’s impact forward. Public reporting has noted that this project arrives as part of that broader cinematic push.

That is a major Los Angeles move because the city has always been built on the intersection of music, film, neighborhood identity, and cultural storytelling. With 10 Til’ Midnight, Snoop is leaning all the way into that intersection.

The room at The Compound reflected that. It felt like a private premiere, but it also felt like a statement — a reminder that Snoop Dogg’s staying power has never been based only on nostalgia. It comes from his ability to remain connected, remain visionary, and remain in tune with how to move the culture without losing the essence of who he is.

That is why this premiere mattered. It was not just about celebrating another album. It was about witnessing a Los Angeles legend continue to evolve, continue to unify, and continue to use art to tell stories that hit deeper than entertainment alone.

In that sense, 10 Til’ Midnight became more than a project launch. It became another example of how Snoop Dogg is still taking Los Angeles to the next level — using music, film, and legacy together to build something bigger than a moment.

Continue Reading

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: Small Businesses Need Minnesota to Act on Pass-Through Tax Policy

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN RECORDER — A Twin Cities immigrant entrepreneur who built several businesses including grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to extend the Pass-Through Entity tax option before it expires, warning that its loss would hit small businesses already recovering from Operation Metro Surge with higher federal tax bills.

Published

on

By

A Twin Cities Small Business Owner Is Urging Minnesota to Extend a Tax Policy That Could Save Thousands of Businesses

By Daniel Hernandez | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

I came to the United States as a teenager with a clear goal: to build something meaningful through hard work. I put in long days in construction, restaurants, and landscaping; doing whatever it took to learn, save, and eventually start my own business.

Over time, I built and ran several successful ventures, including an event photography company, a magazine, a tax and accounting firm, and now grocery stores serving neighborhoods across the Twin Cities where other retailers chose not to invest. I’ve created jobs, supported families, and committed to communities that deserve stability and opportunity.

That’s why I’m speaking out now.

Small business owners in Minneapolis and the communities we serve are recovering from serious disruptions, including the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. That event hit immigrant communities especially hard. In my own case, I lost nearly half of my 60 employees and saw revenue drop by about 85%. While I worked to provide competitive wages, health benefits, and paid time off, the real hardship fell on the people who lost their jobs and income.

Even as we rebuild, small businesses are facing another challenge. The Minnesota Legislature is considering letting an important tax policy expire: the Pass-Through Entity tax option.

Here’s what that means in plain terms.

Many small businesses, including mine, are pass-through businesses. That means the business itself doesn’t pay income tax. Instead, the owners report the income on their personal tax returns. But under current federal rules, there’s a limit on how much state tax we can deduct. That often leads to higher federal tax bills.

The Pass-Through Entity option fixes that. It allows the business to pay the state tax directly, which means the business can fully deduct those taxes on its federal return and lower the total amount of income taxed federally. The result is straightforward: small business owners pay less in federal taxes, without reducing what the state collects.

This policy is not new or controversial. Thirty-six states already offer it. It doesn’t cost Minnesota anything, it’s revenue neutral. And it benefits more than 66,000 businesses across the state.

In a state where the cost of doing business is already high, it’s hard to understand why we wouldn’t offer the same basic tax treatment as states like California and Illinois.

Small businesses have carried a heavy load in recent years, through a pandemic, rising costs and public safety disruptions. We’ve adapted, reinvested and stayed committed to our communities. What we need now are practical policies that support that work, not make it harder.

If the Minnesota House does not act soon, many businesses will face significantly higher federal tax bills. That’s money that could otherwise be used to hire workers, raise wages or reinvest in local neighborhoods.

I urge Gov. Tim Walz and members of the House Tax Committee to pass House File 3127 and extend the Pass-Through Entity election.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’ve proven our resilience. Now we need our state leaders to show the same commitment to us.

Daniel Hernandez is the owner of Colonial Market located at 2100 E. Lake St.

 

Excerpt:

Photo Captions:

 

Website Tags and SEO Keywords:

Twitter (X) Tags and Handles:

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.