Jamal Murray buzzer-beater caps Nuggets’ 20-point rally vs. Lakers

DENVER — Jamal Murray sank a 15-foot step-back jumper on the buzzer and the Denver Nuggets worn out a 20-point second-half deficit to stun the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 Monday night time and take a 2-0 lead of their Western Convention playoff sequence.

Murray’s fadeaway, falling-down winner supplied the Nuggets with their first lead since 5-3 within the opening minutes and gave the reigning NBA champions their tenth consecutive win over the Lakers. It was the third profitable buzzer-beater in a 20-point comeback previously 25 NBA playoffs.

The sequence shifts to Los Angeles for Sport 3 Thursday night time.

Murray’s profitable shot got here after LeBron James misfired from lengthy vary with 16 seconds left and the sport tied at 99.

Michael Porter Jr. grabbed the rebound with 13 seconds left and the Nuggets did not name a timeout.

As a substitute, Murray took the ball to the proper facet with Anthony Davis guarding him, stepped again and swished the basket simply because the buzzer sounded. Each Murray and Davis fell into the Nuggets’ bench because the sellout crowd’s roar shook Ball Enviornment.

Murray completed with 20 factors, together with 14 within the fourth quarter, and Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double with 27 factors, 20 boards and 10 assists. Porter added 22 factors and Aaron Gordon 14 for Denver.

Davis led the Lakers with 32 factors, James had 26 and D’Angelo Russell added 23 with a profession playoff-high seven 3s.

The Lakers led 59-44 at halftime and stretched their benefit to 68-48 two minutes into the second half, and it positive appeared like L.A. would beat Denver for the primary time in 494 days. It nonetheless led by 10 getting into the fourth quarter.

“I haven’t got a 20-point play,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned. “You have to simply preserve chipping away.”

That they did, lastly tying it at 95-all on Porter’s 3-pointer with 1:15 left.

Russell’s greatest basket was his layup that gave L.A. a 97-95 lead with a minute to go. Murray was fouled by James and sank each free throws to tie it once more.

James responded with a layup for L.A. with 48 seconds left however Murray matched him once more with a step-back jumper at 30 seconds. Then, James missed from lengthy vary, Porter corralled the rebound and the Nuggets have been on their technique to one of many greatest pictures in franchise historical past.

Murray, who began out 3-of-16, went 6-for-8 within the fourth quarter.

Russell sank three 3s within the opening minutes, matching the variety of 3-pointers he had within the Lakers’ previous 5 playoff video games towards Denver. He made simply one among his 9 3s within the sequence opener after going 2-for-15 within the Western Convention finals final summer time, which led to his benching in Sport 4. He completed 7-of-11.

ESPN Stats & Info and The Related Press contributed to this report.