Lakers vs. Nuggets final score, results: Jamal Murray takes over 4th quarter in Game 2 to seize 2-0 lead

Joseph Corr

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Lakers vs. Nuggets final score, results: Jamal Murray takes over 4th quarter in Game 2 to seize 2-0 lead image

Jamal Murray exploded in the fourth quarter to lead the Denver Nuggets past the Los Angeles Lakers 108-103 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. 

After struggling through the first three quarters, Murray exploded in the final frame, dropping 23 of his game-high 37 points.

Nikola Jokic was a steadying force for the Nuggets throughout the game. The Joker was not kidding around; notching his 7th triple-double of these Playoffs, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most in a single Playoffs in NBA history.

After 40 points in Game 1, Anthony Davis struggled from the field, finishing with just 18 points on 4-of-15 shooting.  

Fatigue looked to have gotten the better of LeBron James. Though his final line of 22 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds seemed on par, a blown dunk attempt and some turnovers in critical moments late marred those on-paper stats.

The Lakers now find themselves in a 2-0 hole as this series heads to Crypto.com Arena for Game 3 on May 20.  

Follow along below as The Sporting News tracked all the action from the Western Conference Finals Game 2. 

MORE: Nuggets' Jamal Murray battling ear infection ahead of Game 2

Lakers vs. Nuggets score

Team 1 2 3 4 F
Lakers 27 26 26 24 103
Nuggets 27 21 28 32 108

Lakers vs. Nuggets live updates, highlights from Game 2

(All times Eastern.)

11:15 p.m. FINAL SCORE — Jamal Murray's fourth-quarter revival forges the Nuggets to a huge 108-103 win. 

The Nuggets now take a 2-0 lead in the series. Two wild finishes here in Denver as the Western Conference Finals shifts location to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

11:11 p.m. END OF THE FOURTH QUARTER — Bruce Brown picks LeBron's pocket and this thing is over. James makes a speedy exit. He is drenched in sweat. I've never seen him this exhausted. 

11:10 p.m. — LeBron makes a steal in the backcourt and drives the baseline, he's defied 'Father Time' so many times in his 20-year career, but on this occasion lacks the late-game endurance to power to the hoop through the contest of Murray. That may be it for the Lakers after two Murray free throws - Nuggets lead 106-101 with 12.6 remaining.  

11:05 p.m. — LeBron is down! The superstar looks to have turned an ankle. He stays down the defensive end of the floor as Austin Reeves banks a crazy three and this is now a two-point game! 

11:03 p.m. — Anthony Davis tips it in and this one is coming down to the wire. 101-96 with under two minutes left.

11:02 p.m. — Schroder has gone to Murray on defence. His full-court pressure on Murray was very effective in Game 1.

11:01 p.m. — Davis spaces the floor by standing in the corner and fires up a rare three - it's good! Five point game.

10:59 p.m. — LeBron lays it up and the difference is back to within eight.

10:58 p.m. — Murray makes another three! He has 14 points this quarter! Nuggets lead by 12 with just over four minutes remaining.

10:57 p.m. — Back-to-back threes by Murray and then Porter Jnr cannon the Nuggets into the lead by 12 points!

It's all about that hand-off and screen by Jokic. Laker defenders just can't get around him.

Murray's fourth quarter has shades of Jayson Tatum coming alive for 16 fourth-quarter points in Game 6 against the 76ers last week.

10:52 p.m. — Brown hits a there and the Nuggets lead by seven 90-83. It's their biggest lead of the game! 

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is at the line. He's struggled thus far with 13 points on just 2-of-11 shooting.

10:50 p.m. — Jamal Murray comes alive! He gets the switch he wanted with the lead-footed Anthony Davis, and steps back for the massive three-point make, capping off a 23-9 run by Denver. After struggling he has come alive in this quarter. Nuggets lead by four! The momentum has swung on that flop by James.

10:45 p.m. — LeBron James gets his 2,000th Playoff assist for 2nd All-time behind Magic Johnson.

10:41 p.m. START OF THE FOURTH QUARTER— LeBron James commits the biggest flop of these Playoffs and is rewarded by the refs. The crowd hates the call as Murray goes the other way to hit a super tough jumper. Game tied 81-81.

There's more flopping going on than at a preschooler's pool party.

10:31 p.m. END OF THE THIRD QUARTER — Lakers 79 | Nuggets 76

Schroder is blocked with seven seconds remaining. The ball goes the other way where it looks like Davis has committed a goaltending on a Jokic put-back hook shot. 

After a quick review the basket is... GOOD! We have a classic final term coming up! 

10:30 p.m. — Schroder hits the fadeaway jumper along the baseline and the Laker lead is back out to five with under 30 seconds left. 

10:29 p.m. — After back-to-back two-point buckets by Murray and KCP the Nuggets tie it up! 74-74.

10:26 p.m. — A big long-range make by Bruce Brown sends the crowd into a fit! Nuggets close to within four: 74-70.

10:23 p.m. — Gordon drives the lane and bounces Austin Reeves out of the way before dunking it down. Big boy score. He now has 10 points. In the absence of Murray it needs to be players like Gordon for the Nuggets.

10:16 p.m. — Porter Jnr answers right back with an off-balance corner three and the Laker lead is back to six. Timeout called by Darvin Ham.

10:15 p.m. — Big steal by LeBron James his third steal of the quarter. The crowds the smaller Murray and flies the other way, linking up with Russell for the fast break dunk.

10:05 p.m. — Jamal Murray is seriously struggling. He looks off Gordon and fires up another unsuccessful three-point attempt. He's 3-of-15 from the field and cannot get a good look over these bigger, more athletic Lakers' wings. L.A. lead by nine with 8:25 remaining.  

10:05 p.m. — Aaron Gordon moves nicely without the ball and gets the two-handed dunk. Could he be the scoring compliment to Jokic the Nuggets desperately need? Lakers still lead 62-55. 

10:04 p.m. START OF THE THIRD QUARTER — Lakers steal an easy score to start the second half. 

9:52 p.m. END OF THE FIRST HALF — Lakers 53 | Nuggets 48

The Lakers led by as much as 11, but they go into the halftime break up by only five.

Rui Hachimura has 17 points in 14 minutes to lead all scorers. He's yet to miss a shot and looks unstoppable.

Nikola Jokic is on track for another triple-double with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The issue for the Nuggets is Jamal Murray. Murray is struggling from the field with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting (23%). The Lakers' Vanderbilt defensive experiment is working so far.  

9:45 p.m. — Rui Hachimura on the lob from LeBron. What a game by him so far! He has 17 points on 7-of-7 from the field. Under 30 seconds remaining in the half. 

9:43 p.m. — Air Gordon! Jokic sets up Aaron Gordon for two. The Lakers have missed nine-straight shots. Lakers 49 | Nuggets 48 

9:38 p.m. — Beautiful passing by the Lakers. LeBron to AD to Rui who's fouled under the hoop. Hachimura make both. Lakers up seven. 

9:36 p.m. — Lakers up 11. LeBron lobs to AD and the Nuggets really need to think about things. Jokic is starting to score but the role players for Denver are nowhere to be found on offence.

9:31 p.m. — Lakes lead the field goal percentage so far 54% to 41%. Jokic has been taken out of his game. He's not looking to score and it's costing his team. He has 13 points but it feels like a lot less. 

9:26 p.m. — LeBron goes for the two-hand windmill jam and the ball slips through his fingers out of bounds. The crowd goes wild at James' blunder. 

9:25 p.m. — Rui Hachimura has exploded off the bench he leads all scorers with 13 points on 6-of-6 from the field!  

9:20 p.m. START OF THE SECOND QUARER — LeBron dimes up Rui for the opening two points of Q2!

9:16 p.m. END OF THE FIRST QUARER — Scores tied 27-27. Jokic leads the game with nine points while Austin Reeves is leading the Lakers with seven points. 

In start contrast to Game 1 L.A. lead the rebounding count 13-10. The pace of play will be key in the rest of the contest. Which team will control the speed of scoring? 

9:16 p.m. — Anthony Davis' tip dunk is waved away for basket interference and the scores are tied 27-27 at the end of the first quarter.

9:14 p.m. — Jeff Green dunks it down. The Lakers cannot stop this team in transition! 

9:09 p.m. — Russell is assessed a flagrant one. Two free throws and possession for Murray and the Nuggets. Russell's windup and the impact the determining factors in the foul call. "What happened to the game I love?" Mark Jackson is upset in the commentary. Murray makes both free throws 23-22 Lakers. 

9:09 p.m. — Russell collects Murray hard on the fast break layup. It shouldn't be a flagrant but the officials are taking a look at the replay. 23-20. 

9:07 p.m. — Nikola Jokic takes a mean push from Hachimura in the paint. No call. Jokic has looked tentative. Looking for everyone else to score rather than himself. 

9:03 p.m. — Tough make by Russell from three and he points at Brown after the make. Their is feeling in this contest for sure.  Lakers back up 21-20. Timeout with 3:56 remaining.  

8:53 p.m. — Bruce Brown goes coast to coast for two. The Lakers are really struggling to contain the Nuggets in transition. This pace suits Denver perfectly. Timeout Lakers. 20-17 in favor of the Nuggets with 5:44 remaining in the first. 

8:53 p.m. — Although less than five minutes have been played the refs have had enough of the complaining. Every player on both teams is throwing their hands in protest after every call. Not a good look so far.

8:50 p.m. — Amazing transition offence from the Nuggets. Jokic grabs the Davis miss and flies the other way. The ball pin-balls with purpose from Barry Brown to Jamal Murray for a corner three. Nuggets take the lead 11-10.

8:45 p.m. — Nice give-and-go between Jokic and Gordon for two. After a stop the Nuggets come back up the floor for a Gordon dunk off the offensive rebound! 6-4 in favor of the Lakers. 

8:45 p.m. START OF THE FIRST QUARTER — Nuggets turnover off the tip and the Lakers go the other way for the score! Fast start for the visitors.

8:17 p.m.  — Los Angleles are moving Dennis Schroder to the bench and bringing Jarred Vanderbilt into the starting lineup. They will be hoping he can limit Jamal Murray's scoring.

Lakers: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reeves, Jarred Vandeerbilt and D'Angelo Russell.

Nuggets: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Poter Jnr, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic.

What channel is Lakers vs. Nuggets on?

  • Date: Thursday, May 18
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Sling TV

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals will be broadcast on ESPN. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV, which is now offering $10 off your first month! Stream the sports you love starting at just $30 in your first month with Sling Orange to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

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What time is Lakers vs. Nuggets today?

  • Date: Thursday, May 18
  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. PT

Game 2 between the Lakers and Nuggets will tip off around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. The game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver.

MORE: Why Anthony Davis vs. Nikola Jokic matchup will decide the Western Conference Finals

Lakers vs. Nuggets odds

The Nuggets enter Game 2 as 5.5-point favorites over the Lakers.

  Lakers Nuggets
Spread +5.5 -5.5
Moneyline +170 -210

For the full market, check out BetMGM.

Lakers vs. Nuggets schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the Western Conference Finals series between Los Angeles and Denver:

Date Game Time (ET)/Result TV channel
May 16 Game 1 Nuggets 132, Lakers 126 ESPN
May 18 Game 2 8:30 p.m. at Nuggets ESPN
May 20 Game 3 8:30 p.m. at Lakers ABC
May 22 Game 4 8:30 p.m. at Lakers ESPN
May 24 Game 5* 8:30 p.m. at Nuggets ESPN
May 26 Game 6* 8:30 p.m. at Lakers ESPN
May 28 Game 7* 8:30 p.m. at Nuggets ESPN

*If necessary

Joseph Corr

Joseph Corr Photo

Joseph Corr is a content producer at The Sporting News who has covered the NBA for nearly a decade. A supporter of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan-era, he is also a fan of his local Australian basketball league; The NBL. Joseph was previously a long-time member of ESPN and Stats Perform’s digital media team, as a reporter, video editor and production assistant. Based in Sydney, Australia Joseph has worked for TSN since 2022.