It looked like the Los Angeles Lakers were going to cruise to a victory for much of their Game 2 matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. But a huge second-half comeback by the Nuggets was capped off by one of the most clutch shots in recent memory from Nuggets star Jamal Murray.
The Lakers led by 20 points in portions of the third quarter. But the Nuggets showed off their championship pedigree, battling back to make it a close game down the stretch.
Denver was able to tie the game up with 30 seconds to go. The Lakers had a chance to take the lead, but LeBron James was unable to make a wide-open three with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
This gave the Nuggets a chance to take their first lead in this game since the early portions of the first quarter. And the Nuggets did not waste their opportunity.
Instead of calling a timeout to set up a play, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone opted to let his team play. And it ended up being an excellent decision.
Nuggets star Jamal Murray, who had struggled heavily for much of the game, made one of the biggest shots of his career, making a fadeaway midrange shot over Anthony Davis as time expired to win the game.
"Murray, makes a move…GOOOOOOOOD. THE NUGGETS HAVE WON."
Kevin Harlan on the call for Jamal Murray's buzzer-beater. Nuggets come back from being down 20 to take a 2-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/QOMxBC8pd9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 23, 2024
To even come back and make this game competitive would have been a morale victory for the Nuggets considering how much of the game went. But to pull off this kind of a win is simply unbelievable.
Naturally, fans had plenty to say about Murray’s game-winner on social media.
JAMAL MURRAY AT THE BUZZER
THE NUGGETS HAVE BEATEN THE LAKERS 10 STRAIGHT TIMES
pic.twitter.com/2u0cmAQMZP— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 23, 2024
Jamal Murray turnt up when it mattered most 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e3yXjjnkms
— ESPN (@espn) April 23, 2024
JAMAL MURRAY BROKE THE LAKERS HEART
OMGG 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/7QRlWM9QwV
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) April 23, 2024
Jamal Murray. Game. pic.twitter.com/1XpXX3MUL4
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 23, 2024
DON'T TELL ME JAMAL MURRAY WENT FROM AS COLD AS I'VE SEEN HIM TO … SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT WITH SOME OF THE CLUTCHEST CLOSING YOU'LL EVER SEE.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 23, 2024
If you are the Nuggets, you have to feel like you stole a game here. And for the Lakers, this is the kind of loss that could really be demoralizing and completely shift how the rest of this series turns out.
Only time will tell whether the Lakers can bounce back in Game 3. But it’s hard to argue that their momentum has to be at an all-time low after this devastating loss.
