The Los Angeles Lakers led the Denver Nuggets by 20 points late in Game 2 of their 2024 NBA Playoffs first round series. After losing nine straight to the Nuggets, the Lakers finally got the win they expected and seemed to tie the series in the process.
Instead, the Lakers collapsed, the Nuggets rallied into the game, and Jamal Murray ended it with an eternal dagger.
In the first round of the series, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers 101-99 and led Los Angeles 2-0. Denver has won 10 straight against the Lakers dating back to last season.
Murray's true buzzer-beater against Anthony Davis instantly becomes one of the biggest highlights in Nuggets history. Check out his match-winning dagger here:
Murray struggled to score efficiently for most of the night, needing 24 field goal attempts to score 20 points. Murray was 3-of-16 from the floor and scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter. Somehow, he still consistently emerges for the biggest spots in the NBA playoffs.
Nikola Jokic was great throughout. He contributed to the victory with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The game shouldn't have been decided on the final possession. The Lakers were looking for a big win, but odd lineup choices, poor shot selection, and the decision to leave Davis all contributed to the blowout. A look at ESPN's championship odds shows just how unlikely the Nuggets' comeback was.
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Last season, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, clinching Denver's first championship in franchise history. LA is able to hold out against the Nuggets by a narrow margin, but they can't get over the wall.
This must hurt a lot. The Lakers had a tie series in hand heading back to Los Angeles.Jokic and Murray took it away. Also. This stings for a long time.
