NBA Playoffs: Jamal Murray’s Game-Winner Lifts Nuggets Past Lakers in Thrilling Game 5
The Denver Nuggets celebrate their series win over the Los Angeles Lakers
In a thrilling conclusion to their opening-round playoff series, Jamal Murray hit a game-winning jumper to seal a 108-106 victory for the Denver Nuggets over the Los Angeles Lakers. This marks the Nuggets’ first series win since 2009.
“I’m speechless. It’s a dream come true,” Murray said in a post-game interview. “All these fans on your side to get it done in this fashion, I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. I’m just happy for us.”
The Lakers, who were swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals last season, have now lost in the opening round of the playoffs twice in the last four seasons.
Anthony Davis struggled with a shoulder injury in the third quarter
Anthony Davis went down with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, and although he returned to the court, he was visibly struggling. Despite this, the Lakers pushed their lead to nine points briefly near the midway point of the period after a huge 3-pointer from LeBron James.
However, the Nuggets then rattled off a 19-5 run to take the lead, which included a huge 3-pointer from Michael Porter Jr. despite taking a big shot that sent him to the court.
The teams went back and forth in the final minutes, but Murray hit a huge 3-pointer to put the Nuggets back up by two points with a minute left. James hit a pair of free throws on the other end to tie it at 106-106, setting up Murray’s winner.
Murray celebrates his game-winning shot
Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points and seven assists, and he went 5-of-10 from behind the arc. Porter added 26 points, and Nikola Jokić finished with 25 points, 20 rebounds, and nine assists.
The Nuggets will now take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals starting on Saturday in Denver.
The Nuggets celebrate their series win over the Lakers
The Timberwolves, who swept the Phoenix Suns in their first-round series, will look to upset the Nuggets in the next round.
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