Jamal Murray was the hero for the Denver Nuggets in their Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Murray hit a fadeaway buzzer-beater over Anthony Davis to secure a 101-99 win for the Nuggets. His 14 points in the fourth quarter helped spark a 20-point comeback that gave the Nuggets a 2-0 series lead as they head to Los Angeles for Game 3. This buzzer-beater marked just the third in playoff history to complete a 20-point comeback or larger.
The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis, jumped out to an early lead in Game 2 with Davis dominating in the first half. D’Angelo Russell also contributed to their strong start with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from behind the arc. However, the Nuggets slowly chipped away at the Lakers’ lead and ultimately tied the game in the final minutes before Murray’s game-winning shot. Russell finished with 23 points while James had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Jokić recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Nuggets’ victory.
The Lakers will potentially have Jarred Vanderbilt back in the lineup for Game 3 in Los Angeles. Vanderbilt has been out since February with a right midfoot sprain, but he has been ramping up his on-court workouts and is targeting a return for the upcoming game. The Lakers are also hopeful that Christian Wood will be available to play in the series. Vanderbilt has averaged 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 29 games this season, while Wood has averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Murray’s spectacular buzzer-beater added to the Nuggets’ winning streak over the Lakers, as they have now won 10 straight games against the defending champions. The shot was a historic moment in playoff history, and Murray’s performance in the fourth quarter was instrumental in their comeback victory. Jokić’s impressive triple-double also played a crucial role in the Nuggets’ success. The momentum from this win will be key as they head to Los Angeles for Game 3.
The Lakers had a strong start in Game 2 behind Anthony Davis, but their lead slipped away as the Nuggets mounted a comeback. Despite big performances from Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers struggled to contain the Nuggets down the stretch. Davis finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds, while James added 26 points and Porter Jr. contributed 22 points for the Nuggets. The Lakers will need to regroup and make adjustments heading into Game 3 to avoid falling into a deeper hole in the series.
With Murray’s unforgettable buzzer-beater, the Nuggets secured a thrilling victory in Game 2 against the Lakers. Murray’s clutch performance, along with contributions from Jokić and Porter Jr., propelled the Nuggets to a series lead. The potential return of Jarred Vanderbilt will bolster the Lakers as they look to fight back in Game 3. The stage is set for an exciting matchup as the series shifts to Los Angeles, where both teams will look to gain the upper hand.
