Murray's buzzer-beater completes Nuggets' comeback
The Denver Nuggets rallied from 20 points down for a thrilling 101-99 Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
Jamal Murray drilled a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to give the defending champs a 2-0 series lead.
MURRAY CALLED GAME.
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 23, 2024
WOW 😳 pic.twitter.com/MjrWbKqN3l
"You know those playoff commercials right now? Well, there is a playoff Jamal," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters postgame, according to Jake Shapiro of DenverSports.com. "A lot of guys that have been all-stars can never even come close to doing what he does in the postseason."
Per @StatsWilliams:
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 23, 2024
There are three instances in the NBA playoffs since 2000 of a player hitting a game-winning buzzer beater to complete a comeback of 20 or more points:
- Jamal Murray tonight
- Luka Doncic in 2020 vs Clippers
- Robert Horry in 2002 vs Kings
Nikola Jokic had another triple-double, posting 27 points, 20 boards, and 10 assists in 41 minutes of action.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James added 32 and 26 points, respectively, for the Lakers in a losing cause.
Game 3 is Thursday in L.A. at 10 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles appeared to be in complete control of the contest behind a strong first half from Davis and D'Angelo Russell. The duo combined for 42 points as the Lakers took a 15-point lead into halftime.
The Nuggets responded in the second half, going on a 22-8 scoring run between the third and fourth quarters.
Los Angeles remained ahead for most of the final frame. However, Denver finally tied the contest at 95 with 1:15 to go when Michael Porter Jr. drilled a triple immediately after James extended the Lakers' lead with a transition dunk.
WHAT A SEQUENCE IN DENVER! 🤯🤯🤯@Lakers 95@nuggets 95
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2024
Under 2 minutes to play in the 4Q on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/gQQWAs5eTZ
The two teams continued to exchange baskets until James' missed 3-point attempt set the stage for Murray's heroics.
“If it wasn't for my teammates, I might not even get to that shot," Murray told TNT's Ernie Johnson postgame.