Jamal Murray scored 32 points, despite a strained calf, and hit the game-winning shot with 3.6 seconds left as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-106 in Game 5 to eliminate LeBron James from the playoffs. The Nuggets’ victory was reminiscent of Game 2, where Murray also hit a buzzer-beating shot. Nikola Jokic contributed with 25 points, 20 rebounds, and nine assists, while Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points. LeBron James had 30 points and 11 assists, and Anthony Davis had 17 points and 15 rebounds. The series win propelled the Nuggets to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
The Nuggets have had a challenging playoff series against the Lakers, facing deficits for most of the games, struggling with shooting slumps, and dealing with injuries. Despite these obstacles, they were able to defeat the defending champions and advance to the second round. The victory over the Lakers marked the 12th win for the Nuggets in their last 13 matchups. For LeBron James, this was only the second time in his career that he was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, with the previous instance occurring in 2021 when the Phoenix Suns beat the Lakers.
Jamal Murray, who was cleared to play after sustaining a calf injury, contributed significantly to the Nuggets’ victory with his scoring and clutch shots. While not at his best physically, Murray managed to score 16 points in the first half, helping the Nuggets take the lead going into halftime. The Lakers held a narrow advantage during parts of the game, but the Nuggets were able to close the gap and take the lead going into the fourth quarter. The game remained tight until Murray’s game-winning shot sealed the victory for the Nuggets and sent the Lakers home early from the playoffs.
The Nuggets will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs, with the series starting in Denver, where the Nuggets have a strong home record. The team will look to build on their success against the Lakers and continue their playoff run against the Timberwolves. The victory over the Lakers was a significant accomplishment for the Nuggets, who are aiming to make another deep playoff run after winning their first NBA championship last season. With key contributions from players like Murray, Jokic, and Porter Jr., the Nuggets are poised to make a strong push in the playoffs.
LeBron James, who has had a storied career in the NBA playoffs, experienced a rare early exit from the postseason with the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets. Despite his impressive playoff record and multiple championships, James and the Lakers were unable to overcome the resilient Nuggets in this series. The loss to the Nuggets marked a disappointing end to the Lakers’ season, as they were unable to defend their championship title against a determined Denver team. As they head into the offseason, the Lakers will look to regroup and make adjustments for the next season, aiming to return to contender status in the Western Conference.
