DENVER—Jamal Murray scored 32 points despite a strained calf and sank the game-winning shot with 3.6 seconds left as the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets bounced LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers from the playoffs again with a 108–106 win in Game 5 Monday night, April 30, at Ball Arena.
James’ two free throws tied it at 106 with 26 seconds left, and the Nuggets, just as they did in Game 2, eschewed calling a timeout. Murray took the ball on a high screen-and-roll to his left, shook defender Austin Reaves as he crossed through the lane, and swished a 14-footer.