Years After Punching and Slamming Nuggets’ Most Expensive Member on Live TV, Charles Barkley Makes Amends

The Denver ground shook tonight as it hosted its very first NBA Finals game. Nikola Jokic unleashed his masterclass, decimating the Miami Heat in the contest. A convincing 104-93 win led to the Denver Nuggets taking a 1-0 lead in the ultimate series. However, their first-ever Finals win wasn’t the only milestone in the Ball Arena tonight.

For years, their mascot, Rocky had to face the wrath of Charles Barkley. But tonight, as the two came face to face, the duo shared a heartfelt moment.

Charles Barkley finally settles beef with NBA’s highest-paid mascot

Only a few days ago, Nuggets mascot Rocky was taking the NBA world by storm. It ignited a heated debate on the grounds of his salary. According to Bleacher Report, the entertaining character makes $625,000 annually. Several basketball purists’ blood boiled over the stark contrast between the pay discrepancy between the mascot and WNBA players.?However, after facing the public’s scrutiny, Rocky was found making amends with an old foe, Charles Barkley.

Back when the Round Mound of The Rebound was still playing, he butt heads with the Denver Nuggets mascot on multiple occasions. Each time that did happen, Rocky had to endure an assault. The NBA Hall of Famer playfully launched punches, kicks, and sometimes even other mascots at the $625,000 Nuggets representative.

But the time finally came that they settled their once violent standoff. After watching the Nuggets punch a hole through Miami in Game 1, Charles Barkley sat on the court doing his duties as a TNT analyst.

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Right as the cameras were rolling, the mountain lion mascot approached Barkley. Instead of any attacks, the former Phoenix Suns forward gave him a hug, a beaming smile on his face as he recollected their times together.

It seems they now share a respectful and adorable bond forged on the grounds of brutality. Nonetheless, the Nuggets were able to take care of business on the court on the back of another masterful performance by The Joker.

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Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets hold down the Miami Heat

The Denver Nuggets looked flawless, controlling the game from the tipoff to the end. They rocketed to an early lead, and never lost their composure. At the center of the action was?Nikola Jokic, getting his ninth triple-double of the playoffs. His right-hand star, Jamal Murray scored 26 to lead the Nuggets to a 1-0 lead.

Jimmy Butler suffered from a cold-shooting night scoring just 13 points in his first Finals appearance since 2020.

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With a statement win in Game 1, do you think the Denver Nuggets have the Finals in their grasp? Let us know your views in the comments below.