Jamal Murray of the Nuggets buries the Lakers with 23 points 4th in Game 2

DENVER — jamal murray took a transfer of Nicholas Jokic down the left flank and drilled his fourth triple of the fourth quarter over Lebron James.

“Pop!” Murray yelled, a nod to ESPN man Mike Breen’s signature call, as he pointed to the ESPN broadcast table on his way back onto the court.

After missing 12 of 17 shots and scoring just 14 points in the first three quarters, Murray gave the los angeles lakers a sampling of “Playoff Murray” in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at Ball Arena. Murray exploded with 23 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter to help the denver nuggets wins 108-103 to push the Lakers to a 2-0 series deficit.

Murray, who also had 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, said he grew up dreaming of key fourth-quarter playoff performances like this one. It was his fourth quarter with 20-plus points in the playoffs, the most since the play-by-play era began in the 1997-98 season and two more than Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson, who are tied for second place, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

“When I was little, I used to count down the seconds on the shot clock and take the shot and talk like Marv Albert and Mike Breen,” Murray said after the game. “Just imagination running around like a kid. When you get to that moment and you see your family in the crowd, you see your little brother, you see Mike Breen there, all these little reminders, they all pay dividends and make that moment a little more special. It just locks you in again.”

He added: “Playing in the Western Conference finals against the Lakers and LeBron James. It’s an incredible opportunity, and it’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”

The Nuggets also collected a fourth straight triple-double from Jokic, who had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. It was also his fifth triple-double in six games.

But it was Murray who played the role of finisher. He had been battling an ear infection that sidelined him last weekend and prevented him from doing much.

But he has scored 31 or more points in the Nuggets’ two home wins against the Lakers. On Thursday night, Murray scored the final 12 points of the game for the Nuggets. That’s the second-most consecutive points scored by a team to finish a game in a conference finals or NBA finals in the last 25 years, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

“It was special and he won the match for us,” Jokic said. “His energy, he played 42 minutes, so… I think he was amazing. Yeah, maybe in the first half, he struggled to make shots. But when it mattered most, he took shots and basically won us the game.” “

It was a moment that Denver coach Michael Malone cherished. He has seen how hard Murray has had to work to recover from a torn left ACL in April 2021, which forced him to miss the previous two postseasons.

“I love Jamal Murray,” Malone said. “This is not just like I’m coaching him. We’ve been together seven years and been through a lot of ups and downs, and to see him play again at the level that he’s playing, the first thought to me is just tremendous.” proud and so happy for him because I saw the dark days come back from that ACL.

Added Malone: ​​”He needs to continue to do that. Obviously our goal isn’t done. We have to win this series. Our goal is to win a championship, and he’s going to be a big part of that.”

Murray’s key performance helped the Nuggets bury the Lakers, who led by 11 points in the third but saw Denver score 20 of the first 25 points in the fourth quarter when they hit seven 3-pointers.

Murray’s fourth quarter surpassed James’ 22 points in the entire game. With antonio davis Struggling through a 4-for-15 shooting night for 18 points and 14 rebounds, the Nuggets head to Los Angeles looking to increase their series lead.

While the Nuggets continue to surprise some despite their No. 1 seed and best record in the West, Murray said Denver has gotten used to this for several years now.

“We’re the Denver Nuggets; we’re used to that,” Murray said. “Even when we win, they talk about the other team. We beat the Clippers in the bubble, they talk about the other team. Same old, same old. It feeds us a little bit more and it’ll be sweeter when we win the chip.” “