Denver, Colorado – Jamal Murray delivered a game-winning 15-foot step-back jumper at the buzzer to help the Denver Nuggets secure a stunning 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in the Western Conference playoff series. Overcoming a 20-point deficit, the Nuggets now hold a 2-0 lead in the series.
Murray’s clutch shot not only sealed the win for the Nuggets but also marked their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. This win also extended their winning streak against the reigning NBA champions to 10 consecutive games. This impressive victory was capped off by the third winning buzzer-beater in a 20-point comeback in the past 25 NBA playoffs.
With the series now shifting to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday night, the Nuggets will carry the momentum from this thrilling win into the next matchup. The game-winning shot by Murray came after LeBron James missed a shot from long range with 16 seconds remaining, leaving the game tied at 99.
Michael Porter Jr. grabbed the crucial rebound with 13 seconds left, not calling a timeout, allowing Murray to take matters into his own hands. With Anthony Davis guarding him, Murray executed a picture-perfect step-back move to sink the basket just as the buzzer sounded, sending the crowd at Ball Arena into a frenzy.
Murray finished with a total of 20 points, with 14 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Nikola Jokic posted an impressive triple-double with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Porter contributed 22 points and Aaron Gordon added 14 for the Nuggets. On the Lakers’ side, Davis led with 32 points, followed by James with 26 and D’Angelo Russell with 23 points, hitting seven 3-pointers.
Despite the Lakers holding a 59-44 lead at halftime and extending it to 68-48 early in the second half, the Nuggets mounted an impressive comeback in the final quarter. Tying the game at 95-all with just 1:15 left, the Nuggets continued to chip away at the lead until Murray’s game-winner. Murray’s resilience shone through, as he bounced back from a 3-of-16 start to shoot 6-for-8 in the crucial fourth quarter.
Overall, the Nuggets’ perseverance and resilient performance in the face of a significant deficit underscored their determination to secure the win. As the series progresses, both teams will look to make adjustments and elevate their game to outlast their opponents in this fiercely competitive playoff series.