Already author of an incredible shot at the buzzer in Game 2, Jamal Murray once again showed great composure during Game 5, on the night of Monday to Tuesday in Denver. While the two teams were tied (106-106) in an unbreathable end to the match, the Canadian leader took responsibility and scored the winning basket three seconds from the siren, offering the series to the reigning champions (4 -1) which at the same time eliminate the Lakers of LeBron James, who again tried everything (30 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists).
The Lakers, however, had a high-flying game, especially in the last quarter, where they overcame a six-point deficit (87-81) with limited help from Anthony Davis (17 points, 15 rebounds), touched on the shoulder after returning from the locker room, and who only attempted one shot in the entire second half. Without the interior, it’s on Austin Reaves (19 points), author of a decisive three-point shot two minutes from the end of the match (101-102), Rui Hachimura (15 points) and D’Angelo Russell (14 points) that the Lakers had to rest.
An unbreathable end to the match
And on LeBron James, of course, who kept his team in the lead (103-104) then brought the two teams to a tie (106-106) to prolong the suspense in a stifling end to the match. But the Nuggets, who had already defeated the Lakers last year in the conference final, did not give up: Nikola Jokic, came very close to a huge triple-double (25 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists), and Aaron Gordon (7 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists) notably took two offensive rebounds which shifted the match into “money time”.
But the Californians’ nightmares will be populated above all by Jamal Murray, who scored 12 of his 32 points in the 4th quarter, including 5 in the last minute, culminating in this basket which allowed Denver to face Minnesota in the conference semifinals. The Canadian leader, although announced as doubtful due to calf pain, is decidedly imperturbable in the hottest moments, especially in the play-offs.
James’ future in doubt
During his 16 previous qualifications for the play-offs, LeBron James had only been eliminated once in the first round (in 2021, already with the Lakers). The “King”, despite a great individual series at almost 40 years old (27.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists), is already leaving the door and will now look into his future, he who has with his current contract has an option at $51.4 million that he can activate until June 29 with the Lakers for the 2024-2025 season, or conversely become a free agent again, to sign with another franchise. Only one certainty: he will participate this summer in the Paris Games with the American selection.
