The Denver Nuggets are just two wins away from advancing to their first-ever NBA Finals after holding on for a 108-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 at Ball Arena.
While Nikola Jokic has grabbed the headlines for the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 postseason — and for good reason, recording his fourth-straight triple-double — with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists in Game 2, point guard Jamal Murray is writing his own chapter of greatness.
After a slow start, the Canadian guard torched the Lakers in Game 2, finishing with 37 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals on 11-of-24 shooting from the field and 6-of-14 from the 3-point line and 9-of-10 at the free throw line.
Murray took over the fourth quarter, scoring 23 of his 37 points in the final frame, including six clutch free throws in the final minute of the game to ice the win.
MORE: Live updates from Nuggets' Game 2 win as Jamal Murray takes over
Murray's 4th quarter scoring drawing Jordan, Iverson comparisons
When you're putting your name above Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson in the record books, you know you're doing something right.
Murray entered the fourth quarter with just 14 points, missing 12 of his first 17 shots, before going on a scoring tear.
His 23 points in the final 12 minutes brought up his fourth career 20-point fourth quarter in the playoffs, the most of any player across the last 25 years, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Over the last 30 years, only two other players have scored 20 points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game: Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson, who both did it twice.
"I missed some really good looks in the first half, my team told me to keep shooting," Murray said postgame.
"I was getting the looks I wanted. We knew they were gonna fall, so the good thing is I didn't stop shooting."
Murray's confidence down the stretch was at an all-time high, calling out his own "BANG!" and pointing right at commentator Mike Breen.
When you're hot, you're hot.
Jamal Murray calling his own "Bang" and pointing to Mike Breen 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eVief20nJw
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 19, 2023
Check out his fourth-quarter shotchart from Game 2: That's a whole lot of green!
Nuggets react to Murray's big night
Despite putting up his own impressive statline, Nikola Jokic reserved plenty of praise for his running mate after his fourth-quarter heroics in Game 2.
"He was amazing," Jokic said of Murray postgame.
"When it mattered most he made shots and won us the game basically."
MORE: Michael Malone after Game 2 win - 'Put that in your pipe and smoke it'
Murray triggered a 30-10 second-half run that completely flipped the momentum of the game and even when Jokic was on the bench, he kept the Nuggets score ticking over.
"I love Jamal Murray."
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2023
Coach Malone on the pride he feels seeing Murray thrive in these Playoffs. Malone has coached Murray for the past 7 years 🔊#NBAConferenceFinals presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/muqlKa1RN1
Head coach Mike Malone couldn't have been happier with his point guard's performance tonight, reflecting on the long road it took Murray to get back to this point after missing an entire season with an ACL injury.
"We've been together for seven years and been through a lot of ups and downs and to see him back and playing at the level he's playing at, the first thought for me is tremendous pride and just so happy for him," he said.
"I saw the dark days coming back from that ACL, so for him to be here playing at the level he's playing at, I'm just so happy for the young man and he needs to continue to do that.
"Obviously our goal is not done, we have to win this series, our goal is to win a championship and he's going to be a big part of that."
The Nuggets will look to continue their momentum in Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena, which is set for Saturday, May 20, with tip-off at 8:30 p.m. PT.
