Denver With only 3.6 seconds remaining on Monday night, Jamal Murray overcame a strained left calf, the management’s suggestion that he sit this one out, and another haymaker from the Los Angeles Lakers to score 32 points and sink the game-winning basket. LeBron James was forced to depart the playoffs at his earliest opportunity, and the Denver Nuggets staggered into Round 2 after a 108-106 victory in Game 5 that saw 16 lead changes, 10 ties, and was sealed only when Taurean Prince’s half-court heave failed with seconds remaining.
If not for his dogged determination — and defiance — Murray never would have had the chance to seal the series.
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“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 because of 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.
“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. 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.”
Nikola Jokic, who committed an uncharacteristic seven turnovers, narrowly missed his 19th playoff triple-double with 25 points, 20 rebounds and 9 assists, and Michael Porter J. scored 26.
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 Porter in the second half.
The Nuggets advanced to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round starting next weekend. That series begins in Denver, where the Nuggets are a conference-best 36-8, including 3-0 in the playoffs.
Not that it was been easy.
