Through her attorney, the woman sent demand letters to the fighter, the NBA and the Miami Heat seeking a settlement in lieu of legal action, per the report.

“We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation,” the Heat said in a statement. “Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.”

In the letters, the woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, contends security for both the team and the NBA forced the woman into a restroom where McGregor and his security guard were waiting. Then, Mitchell wrote, McGregor “aggressively kissed” the woman as security kept everyone out of the restroom.

McGregor then forced her into oral sex and as he attempted further sexual activity, the woman elbowed him repeatedly and was able to escape, per Mitchell. She reported the alleged assault to police in Florida on June 11.

Representatives for McGregor told TMZ the allegations are false.

“Mr. McGregor will not be intimidated,” they added.

UFC officials told TMZ they were aware of the allegations.

“UFC will allow the legal process to play out before making any additional statements,” per the promotion’s statement.

McGregor sat courtside at the game on June 9 and took part in a halftime promotional act in which he punched the Heat mascot several times. 

Burnie, the mascot, had to go to the emergency room and was sent home with pain medication, USA Today reported. – Rappler.com

But professional sports champions celebrate in the streets with a victory parade and, in the case of the Nuggets, that won’t happen until Thursday (Friday, June 16, Manila time), delaying Jokic’s return to his home country.

Asked after a Game 5 and Finals victory on Monday night (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time) if he was looking forward to the parade, Jokic replied with a question.

“When is [the] parade?” Jokic asked.

The answer: Thursday.

“No, I need to go home,” said Jokic, who told media before Game 5 he was most looking forward buying another horse.

“I mean, we succeed in our jobs, and we won the whole thing. It’s an amazing feeling. But like I said before, it’s not everything in the world. I think. OK, I won it. OK, not I, we won it. But I think it’s not the most important thing in the world still,” he continued.

“There is a bunch of things that I like, that I like to do. Probably that’s a normal thing. Nobody likes his job, or maybe they do. They’re lying.”

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said he appreciates that Jokic puts family and basketball in proper perspective.

“He’s never changed with all the success, and he never will. It’s just not in his nature,” Malone said. “I love Nikola. Eight years, love Jamal Murray, seven years. Been through a lot. Just for all of us to stay the course, to challenge ourselves, to all get better collectively, individually.”

“It’s great to be a part of such a historically great player who’s an even better person, and I mean that sincerely. This is not coach-talk. Nikola is just a great, great man.” – Rappler.com

Two suspects were taken into custody, including one man wounded in the gunfire, which appeared to involve multiple weapons and stemmed from an altercation among several individuals, according to Denver police.

They said the violence appeared to be unrelated to the basketball celebration although several fans were hurt.

A precise motive for the shooting remained under investigation, but preliminary evidence pointed to gun violence precipitated by a conflict among illegal narcotics dealers, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas told a news conference.

All 10 people struck by gunshots were rushed by ambulance to Denver Health Medical Center, where four underwent emergency surgery, trauma surgeon Dr. Eric Campion told reporters.

He said five patients remained hospitalized on Tuesday, all listed in fair condition, and five were discharged. All were adults – nine men and one woman, according to police.

Five handguns were recovered from the area including one taken from the wounded suspect arrested after he fled on foot and another from the car of the second suspect, police commander Matt Clark told a news briefing. He said at least 20 rounds were fired.

Police also seized “significant quantities of fentanyl pills in the area” bundled in plastic bags, Clark said, adding “there appears to be a drug nexus” to the shooting.

“Our strong belief is that this was completely unassociated with the (Nuggets victory) celebration,” Thomas said.

“There were literally tens of thousands of people that were in the downtown area who were peacefully celebrating, and unfortunately there was a small group of individuals who chose to engage in some illegal behavior, and that went awry, and shots were exchanged.”

The chief said five or six of those wounded were innocent bystanders.

The shooting occurred about 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of the arena where the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat to win the NBA championship, the first in the franchise’s 47-year history.

The incident unfolded where a large crowd had earlier gathered to celebrate the team’s victory, though the throng had dwindled before the gunfire erupted, Clark told reporters.

After midnight the street “devolved into some physical fights and ultimately a shooting” and “a very chaotic scene,” despite the presence of about 100 police officers patrolling the area for crowd control, said Denver’s public safety director, Amando Saldate. – Rappler.com

Jokic capped a dominating postseason performance by pouring in 28 points and pulling down 16 rebounds as the Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 94-89 at a seething Ball Arena to claim the best-of-seven Finals 4-1.

“It’s got to be,” smiled Jokic, when asked if this was the golden era for Serbian athletes. “Sport is something in Serbia that put us in front of everybody.”

“Now we have Djokovic, probably the best ever, and now we have an NBA championship. I think it is a very good moment to be a Serbian.”

Djokovic stormed to his third title at Roland Garros on Sunday, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets to stand alone at the summit of men’s tennis with his 23 majors.

Jokic was the clear choice to win the Bill Russell Trophy as the NBA Finals MVP after the Serbian big man averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

“I think if you want to be a success you need to be bad, then you need to be good, then when you are good you need to figure it out,” said Jokic, whose trophy case also includes two NBA MVP Awards.

“There are these steps you need to fill, there are no shortcuts. It’s journey and I’m glad I am part of that journey.”

The 41st pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Jokic becomes the lowest-drafted player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP and the first player drafted outside of the top 15 to win the award.

“I watched Jokic come in early and work and I think he’s been described as a chubby teenager,” said Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke after accepting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

“But they underestimated his resolve and his work ethic. He’s an unbelievable player. I’ve watched a lot of basketball, played a lot of basketball, Jokic is unbelievable.” – Rappler.com

Understated when the championship moment arrived, Jokic was anything but during the Game 5 of the NBA Finals, scoring 28 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in a 94-89 victory on Monday (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time) to wrap up the championship.

After not winning the overall NBA MVP award for the first time in three seasons, Jokic instead helped Denver earn the ultimate team prize and was chosen the Finals MVP. The Nuggets never lost more than twice in any playoff series and finished with 10 victories in their last 11 postseason games.

“It’s good, it’s good,” Jokic said immediately after the victory on the ABC broadcast. “We can finally go home now.”

Jokic, always reluctant to talk about his own play, instead spoke volumes on the court by averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

“Nikola Jokic is a great person, he is a great husband, father, son and brother, and on the basketball court he has proven time and time again that he is the best player in the NBA,” Denver coach Michael Malone said.

“He’s our MVP, we love him and we’re thankful he’s wearing a Nuggets uniform.”

Michael Porter Jr. put up 16 points and 13 rebounds, Jamal Murray had 14 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 11 as the top seed from the Western Conference finished off the eighth seed from the Eastern Conference in the best-of-seven series.

“All the hard work, all the sacrifice, all the dedication all culminated in winning the championship,” Malone said. “We have news for everybody out there: We’re not satisfied with one. We want more. We want more.” – Rappler.com

After not winning the NBA MVP award for the first time in three seasons, Jokic instead helped Denver earn the ultimate team prize while landing the Finals MVP honor. The Nuggets never lost more than twice in any playoff series and finished with 10 victories in their last 11 postseason games.

Michael Porter Jr. put up 16 points and 13 rebounds, Jamal Murray had 14 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 11 as the top seed from the Western Conference finished off the eighth seed from the Eastern Conference in the best-of-seven series.

Denver advanced to the ABA Finals in 1976, joined the NBA the following season, then lost in the Western Conference finals four times before making the title series this season.

Jimmy Butler rallied late to score 21 points for Miami, while Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds and Max Strus and Kyle Lowry each had 12 points.

The Heat knocked off the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the second-seeded Boston Celtics on their way to representing the Eastern Conference in the Finals.

The Heat became just the second eighth seed to reach an NBA Finals, joining the 1999 New York Knicks, who lost the title series to the San Antonio Spurs.

Perhaps struggling with the magnitude of the moment, the Nuggets shot just 1 of 15 from 3-point range in the first half and 3 of 8 from the free-throw line. However, they trailed just 51-44 at halftime before leading by as many as three points in the third quarter. Denver entered the fourth quarter trailing 71-70.

A jump hook by Jokic early in the final period gave the Nuggets a 72-71 lead with 11:39 to play before both teams ramped up their defensive intensity. After neither side scored for a 2:35 stretch, Jamal Murray’s 14-foot pullup jumper gave Denver an 81-76 advantage with 6:43 left.

A Jokic runner put the Nuggets up 83-76 with 4:43 remaining as the Heat opened the fourth quarter 2 of 16 from the field.

Butler came to life in the final period, scoring the team’s last 13 points, including three free throws that were awarded even though he kicked out his right leg and caught an opponent on a 3-point attempt. However, Miami did not score over the final 1:57.

A Bruce Brown rebound and putback basket put the Nuggets up 90-89 with 1:31 remaining, and a steal followed by two free throws from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 24.7 seconds left gave Denver a 92-89 lead.

Butler missed a 3-point attempt with 17.1 seconds remaining, and Brown sealed the title with two free throws for a 94-89 advantage with 14.3 seconds left. – Rappler.com

Nikola Jokic bagged the Finals MVP after averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in the series. 

Must Read

Jokic-led Nuggets oust Heat in Game 5 thriller, win 1st title in 47-year history

Preview

MANILA, Philippines – End or extend?

As the 2023 NBA Finals heads back to the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado for Game 5 on Monday, June 12 (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time), the Denver Nuggets are in prime position to dispatch the Miami Heat and bag their first-ever NBA title. 

The Nuggets are coming off a resounding 108-95 win over the Heat in Game 4, thanks to the efforts of unlikely heroes Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown. 

With their superstar center Nikola Jokic in foul trouble and high-scoring guard Jamal Murray struggling from the field, Gordon took on the scoring cudgels for the Nuggets and sizzled for a team-best 27 points, including a surprising 3-of-4 clip from beyond the arc.

Brown, meanwhile, delivered when it counted the most and poured in 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to help Denver fend off Miami’s comeback attempts and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Miami, on the other hand, leaned on its superstar forward Jimmy Butler and All-Star big man Bam Adebayo anew as starters Gabe Vincent and Max Strus failed to make their presence felt for the second straight outing. 

With their backs now against the wall, watch out for Butler, who has yet to deliver a statement game in this series, to go all-out and take care of business for the Heat as they seek to avoid elimination and return to Miami for Game 6.

In order to stay alive, the Heat should brace for huge scoring performances from Jokic and Murray – who combined for only 38 points on 13-of-36 shooting in Game 4 after both recording 30-point triple-doubles in Game 3.

Will the Nuggets close out the series or will the Heat live to fight another day?

Game time is 8:30 am.

– Rappler.com

Please refresh this page for live updates.

Love missed the Heat’s flight to the Mile High City and flew on his own Sunday to watch film and handle media responsibilities, one day before Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 12 (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time).

“Everybody is happy and healthy,” Love said during a press conference. “… Was able to make it in for our film session.”

“Got a little bit of sleep, so today will be good to get up and down, get acclimated here and get some treatments, get some rest and be ready to roll.”

Love didn’t say if the child was a boy or a girl.

The Heat trail the Denver Nuggets 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Only one team has ever recovered from such a deficit to win the Finals – the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

Interestingly, Love was a key member of that Cleveland squad.

“Naturally when your back is up against the wall you start to look for answers, solutions,” said Love, a five-time All-Star. “But we’re a team that as you know has been super resilient. We understand that it’s every possession, it’s one game.”

“I know that’s something that is cliche and everybody says but again, we feel like if we come out, have a good start tomorrow, play extremely hard and give ourselves a chance and take it back to Miami, that is right where we want to be.”

Love, 34, joined the Heat in February after reaching a buyout with Cleveland.

He averaged 7.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 21 games (17 starts) for Miami in the regular season, and he is contributing 7.1 points and 5.7 boards in 19 postseason games (17 starts). – Rappler.com

The Nuggets took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series with a 108-95 road victory over the Miami Heat. The series shifts back to Denver for Game 5 on Monday, June 12 (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time) and there are plenty of those who are anticipating a crowning achievement.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone is not one of them.

“Yeah, just understand that we haven’t done anything,” Malone said. “I told our guys, the first thing I said (after the Game 4 victory), ‘We’re not celebrating. It’s a good win. We’ve done our job. But we’re not celebrating like we’ve done anything yet.'”

Malone’s plan over the weekend, in addition to figuring out how to get past the Heat one more time, was to have his players ignore all media – social and otherwise – and keep their minds on the task at hand as if it were still significantly out of reach.

“Don’t listen to everybody telling you how great you are because we haven’t done a damn thing yet,” Malone said. “We have to win another game to be world champions, and we’re going to do that by simply taking it one quarter at a time.”

“We stay true to our identity, we’ll give ourselves a great chance to do that.”

For everybody outside of the Nuggets’ inner circle, there is plenty of evidence that their time is now. If not in Game 5 then in 6 or 7 during the coming days.

The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic has nearly averaged a triple-double for the entire playoff run with 30.1 points, 13.3 rebounds and 9.8 assists. In the Finals he has scored 30.8 points with 13.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

Aaron Gordon had what was perhaps his best game in a Nuggets uniform during Game 5 with 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting (3-of-4 from three-point range).

Gordon also has kept Heat star Jimmy Butler in check on the defensive end. Butler has averaged 21.8 points per game in the series, although he has been more productive on the offensive end in the last two games. But as his scoring output has ticked up in the past two games, his rebound and assist numbers have dropped.

The eighth-seeded team in the Eastern Conference doesn’t seem to have enough offense to keep up with the Nuggets. All three of the Heat’s defeats in the series have been by double digits, although they will take solace in the fact that their lone victory – 111-108 in Game 2 – came at Denver.

“Same thing it’s always been, it’s one game at a time,” Butler said. “Now we are in a must-win situation every single game, which we’re capable of. Some correctible things we’ve got to do, but it’s not impossible. We’ve got to go out there and do it. We’ve got three to get.”

Bam Adebayo has averaged 22.3 points and 12.5 rebounds during the four games of the NBA Finals, up from his averages of 17.8 points and 9.8 rebounds in the playoffs. But Miami has been held to 95 points or fewer in all three defeats.

While the Heat’s Tyler Herro appears close to returning from a hand injury that occurred in the opening game of the playoffs, the shooting guard still has not contributed to the cause, leaving 20.1 points per game from the regular season on the bench.

“All we are going to focus on is getting this thing back to … Miami and things can shift very quickly,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It’s going to be a gnarly game in Denver that is built for the competitors that we have in our locker room.” – Rappler.com

Although the Heat are facing elimination as they head to Denver to play Game 5 on Monday, June 12 (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time), Spoelstra remained confident that his charges would extend the series to Game 6 back in Miami.

“All we’re focused on – I told the guys, feel whatever you want to feel tonight. It’s fine. You probably shouldn’t sleep tonight any amount of time. I don’t think anybody will,” Spoelstra said following the Heat’s 108-95 setback on Friday, June 9 (Saturday, June 10, Manila time).

“We have an incredibly competitive group. We’ve done everything the hard way, and that’s the way it’s going to have to be done right now, again. All we are going to focus on is getting this thing back to the 305. Get this thing back to Miami. And things can shift very quickly.”

The Heat know that all too well, especially since they saw their 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference final go by the boards. They righted the ship by winning Game 7, however.

“You take it one game at a time,” Heat center Bam Adebayo said. “We’ve seen a team come back from 3-0 firsthand. So we just have to believe, and one game at a time.”

Jimmy Butler had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Adebayo amassed 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat. Kyle Lowry scored 13 points while Kevin Love and Duncan Robinson added 12 apiece for Miami.

The Heat are still holding out hope that they can become the second team to recover from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals.

“It’s the same thing that it’s always been – it’s a game at a time,” Butler said. “Now we’re in a must-win situation every game, which we’re capable of. We’ve got to correct some things, but it’s not impossible. We got three to get.” – Rappler.com