Jamal Murray hits wild buzzer beater, stares down Kevin Harlan to end crazy Nuggets sequence
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has hit numerous big-time, clutch baskets so far during this year’s NBA playoffs. Highlighted by making a pair of game-winning shots in the Nuggets’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In Sunday’s Game 4 matchup in the second round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves Murray did it again. Hitting another dazzling buzzer-beater that may not have been as high stakes as his past heroics, but potentially more impressive.
In the closing moments of the second quarter, Murray intercepted a pass with 1.6 seconds remaining in the first half. Which he followed by making an improbable buzzer-beating shot beyond half court right in front of the scorer’s table to give Denver a 64-49 lead. Staring down TNT play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan in an electric moment that can be seen below.
Murray’s big-time shot was followed by a big-time call from Harlan, who matched Murray’s cold-blooded expression with a high-energy reaction to the amazing play. Which capped off a 8-0 Nuggets run after Michael Porter Jr. capitalized on a Minnesota turnover with a dunk moments before Murray closed out the extraordinary sequence with an exclamation point.
Denver would go on to carry their momentum for the remainder of the game after Murray’s shot gave them a 15-point lead. Defeating the Timberwolves 115-107 to even the series up at 2-2 after having their backs against the wall down 0-2 with two straight away games in Minnesota.
“Game 2 definitely woke us up,” Murray said. “We realized we can’t hold ourselves back.”
Murray ended the game with 19 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals on the night, but the reigning MVP of the league Nikola Jokic stole the show. Leading all scorers with 35 points to represent his fourth 30+ point scoring outing of the postseason.
Aaron Gordon also contributed to Denver’s win in a major way, scoring 27 points and only missing one of his 12 shot attempts on the night. And despite losing, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards continues to prove he’s one of the NBA’s biggest ascending stars. Scoring a new playoff career-high 44 points in the loss, setting a new mark after scoring 43 points last weekend in Game 1.
One of the most exciting playoff series in recent history picks back up on Tuesday, as Game 5 tips off in Denver at 10:30 p.m. ET in a game airing on TNT.