SportsTop StoryUS

Murray overcomes calf injury to score 32, leads Nuggets’ 108-106 win over Lakers

Jamal Murray overcame a strained left calf, management’s suggestion he sit this one out and another haymaker from the Los Angeles Lakers to score 32 points and sink the game-winner with 3.6 seconds left Monday night. That sent LeBron James to his earliest playoff exit ever and the Denver Nuggets tottering into Round 2 with a 108-106 win in Game 5 that featured 16 lead changes and 10 ties and was only secured when Taurean Prince’s halfcourt heave fell short as time expired.

Quick Read

  • Jamal Murray scored 32 points for the Denver Nuggets, including a game-winning basket with 3.6 seconds left, leading to a 108-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5.
  • This win eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs, marking LeBron James’ earliest playoff exit ever.
  • Despite a strained left calf and management’s initial opposition to him playing, Murray insisted on participating, contributing significantly to the game’s outcome.
  • The game was tightly contested, featuring 16 lead changes and 10 ties, and was only secured when a half-court attempt by the Lakers’ Taurean Prince missed as time expired.
  • Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. also played pivotal roles for the Nuggets, with Jokic nearly achieving a triple-double and Porter scoring 26 points.
  • The Nuggets now advance to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs.
  • LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Lakers’ efforts, with Davis visibly struggling after a collision during the game.

The Associated Press has the story:

Murray overcomes calf injury to score 32, leads Nuggets’ 108-106 win over Lakers

Newslooks- DENVER (AP) —

Jamal Murray overcame a strained left calf, management’s suggestion he sit this one out and another haymaker from the Los Angeles Lakers to score 32 points and sink the game-winner with 3.6 seconds left Monday night.

That sent LeBron James to his earliest playoff exit ever and the Denver Nuggets tottering into Round 2 with a 108-106 win in Game 5 that featured 16 lead changes and 10 ties and was only secured when Taurean Prince’s halfcourt heave fell short as time expired.

Denver Nuggets assistant coach Popeye Jones, left, hugs guard Jamal Murray after Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. Murray scored 32 points despite a strained calf and sank the game-winner with 3.6 seconds left to win over the Lakers. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“Shout-out to the Lakers, they gave us a great series,” said Murray, who also hit franchise’s first playoff buzzer-beater in Game 2.

“Those are shots that you dream of as a little kid,” said Murray, who called this one just “a little better.”

If not for his dogged determination — and defiance — Murray never would have had the chance to seal the series.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray looks back at the Los Angeles Lakers bench after hitting a 3-point basket late in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“I came in a little earlier today to see if I was going to be able to go, and I felt like I could and they just didn’t want me to risk it,” recounted Murray, who warmed up with an ice pack strapped to his injured calf. “They told me no. They told me no.

“And I didn’t say no. I didn’t want to leave my teammates out there,” added Murray, who missed 23 games due to injury in 2023-24. “We’ve been battling all season. Everybody’s hurt at some point, everybody’s going through something and I just wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I wasn’t able to play this game.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts after hitting the game-winning basket as forward Michael Porter Jr. looks on in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

”I’m just glad they listened to me — and listened to me listening to my body — and just trusting me with it.”

James’ two free throws tied it at 106 with 26 seconds left and the Nuggets, just as they did in Game 2, eschewed the timeout and Murray took the ball on a high screen-and-roll to his left, shaking Austin Reaves as he crossed through the lane and swishing the 14-footer.

“That kid’s a warrior, man,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “The bigger the moment, the kid just continues to shine.”

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Spencer Dinwiddie, left, defends in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Nikola Jokic, who committed an uncharacteristic seven turnovers, narrowly missed his 19th career playoff triple-double with 25 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists and Michael Porter Jr. scored 26.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, fields a pass as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, tries to make a steal in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

James had 30 points and 11 assists and Anthony Davis had 17 points and 15 rebounds but appeared bothered down the stretch after banging his left shoulder into MPJ in the second half.

The Nuggets advanced to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round starting next weekend. That series starts in Denver, where the Nuggets are a Western Conference-best 36-8, including 3-0 in the playoffs.

Not that it was been easy.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) checks the scoreboard in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Nuggets trailed for about three-fourths of the minutes in this series, they scuffled through extended shooting slumps and they’re a banged-up bunch that can definitely use the rest.

“First of all, tip your hat to them,” James said. “Defending champions. They’re great team. Super-well coached and made the plays down the stretch to win the series. You give credit where credit is due, that’s for sure.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Davis matched Murray’s 16 first-half points and the Lakers led 53-50 at halftime. They pushed that advantage to nine points but the Nuggets closed on a 21-10 run to take an 81-79 lead into the fourth quarter that was tight until the buzzer.

The Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in the Western Conference finals last summer on their way to winning the franchise’s first NBA championship, beat the Lakers for the 12th time in their last 13 games.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, defends in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The only other time James was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs came in 2021 when the Phoenix Suns beat L.A. in six games.

So, this was the shortest of James’ 17 trips to the playoffs despite the Lakers taking the reigning champs to the brink in all five games.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our crew despite everything that happened,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham, who’s sure to be on the hot seat. “Obviously, the series didn’t go in our favor, didn’t start the way we wanted it to, but to win that one at home, fight tooth and nail today to get this one, our guys showed a lot of guts and a lot of character.”

For more sports news

Previous Article
Trump held in contempt of court for violating gag order in hush money case, ordered to pay $9,000
Next Article
Wall Street points lower as markets digest earnings ahead of Fed meeting

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

Latest News

Menu