Large crowds of elated fans flooding the streets, and heavy vehicular traffic around Ball Arena have forced road closures around the downtown Denver area following the Nuggets’ first NBA Championship win.
“Officers are around @BallArenaDenver & downtown to assist large crowds & heavy vehicular traffic with exiting the area. Beginning now, access to downtown will be limited due to road closures,” the Denver Police Department alerted the public on Twitter.
Residents who need to access the downtown area have been instructed to speak with officers across Denver to find the best access points as the city erupts in celebration.
Fans were climbing street posts and igniting fireworks in the middle of a large crowd at 20th and Market — even running through and pushing each other over the pyrotechnics in pure excitement.
The Denver Police Department has been preparing for the rambunctious celebration following crowd control challenges with city faced after last year’s Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup win.
“It’s going to be similar to what we’ve planned before and prior events that we’ve had, you know, like last year with the Avs. So that’s kind of what we’re working towards we will have different plans depending on different situations,” Denver Police Public Information Officer Jay Casillas told Fox 31. “We’re hoping that people celebrate and celebrate responsibly and not get themselves into any kind of trouble.”
The department’s spokesperson said their officers will be on high alert throughout the post-game celebration.
“We will be keeping an eye out, so we hope people don’t drive drunk or under the influence of any substance,” Casillas told the outlet.
The Nuggets were able to thrill their fans with a 4-1 series home win over the Miami Heat on Monday night, with a 94-89 Game 5 victory — the first in the franchise’s history.
Center and two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic earned NBA Finals MVP honors, leading his team to victory with 28 points and 16 rebounds during Game 5.
“It’s why basketball is a fun sport, It’s a live thing. You can’t say this is going to happen until it happens,” the Serbian baller said afterward on ABC after the win. “It’s good, the job is done and we can go home now.”
