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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Peyton Manning, Sean Payton and Russell Wilson were at the Nuggets’ win last night

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton was in attendance to watch the Denver Nuggets defeat the Miami Heat 104-93 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena on Thursday evening.

After wrapping up the second week of organized team activities, Payton took some friends to the game to “convert” them to being Nuggets fans.

“I’ve got some college friends that are in town,” Payton said after the Broncos’ practice session on Thursday. “All of us played quarterback at Eastern Illinois and we get together once a year. I’m going to take them and convert them to Nuggets fans. It’s exciting for the city.

“When you think of this for a second — in two years, the Kroenkes have won a Super Bowl, have won a Stanley Cup and they’re in a position to win an NBA championship. I think that’s something that — it’s good to be a Kroenke for the last two years. That’s pretty impressive to have that type of success. I’m excited for the city to watch these guys. Yeah, we’ll have a chance to go.”

The Broncos have been all in on supporting the Nuggets.

Before Thursday’s game, Peyton Manning served as the voice for Denver’s hype video.

Manning golfed with Charles Barkley before Game 1 — something Barkley predicted would happen when the Nuggets had a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Manning was later at the game with his son, Marshall.

Payton caught up with Peyton and introduced him to his friends.

Wilson also took his son, Future, to the game.

Broncos defensive backs Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain displayed their support for the Nuggets during their media sessions on Thursday before Game 1.

Simmons sat near Wilson at the game.

The Broncos shared a message of support for the Nuggets from Simmons and Surtain on Thursday afternoon.

 

(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Following Thursday’s win, the Nuggets will host the Heat for Game 2 in Denver on Sunday night.

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