Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets has made mincemeat of defenses throughout the 2020 NBA Playoffs, sometimes embarrassing defenders in the process. Add Kawhi Leonard to the list.

Now, he adds one of the game’s best players on that list. 

The 23-year old Canadian crossed over LA Clippers forward and reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, drilling a clutch basket in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their West semifinal series on Saturday. With the Nuggets up by seven, Jamal Murray crossed over Leonard — who staggered as he lost his man — hitting a step-back 3-pointer to give Denver a 10-point lead, 104-94, with a little over two minutes left. 

That Jamal Murray basket would prove to be enough to fend off any comeback from the Clippers, as they went on to take a 110-101 win in Game 2 to even their Western Conference Semifinal series at one game apiece.

The basket was one of three 3-pointers made by Jamal Murray, who scored 27 points on 10-of-21 (48%) shooting to go with three rebounds and six assists after struggling for just 12 points in the series opener. 

One hand, the play sums up a rare off-night for the two-time champion Leonard, who finished with just 13 points on a dismal 4-of-17 (24%) shooting. Leonard also had 10 boards and eight assists, but was a team-low -16 for the Clippers. 

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The series resumes with Game 3 on Monday night, when Jamal Murray hopes to use more of his tricks in his bag to continue his scoring binges for the Nuggets. Leonard, meanwhile, will look to prove that the Murray crossover and his off-night was only a fluke. 

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