The Denver Nuggets erased a 20-point deficit in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, ultimately winning 101-99 thanks to an epic game-winner from guard Jamal Murray. Up until the fourth quarter though, it was a quiet contest for the defending champions and especially Murray.
The Canadian scored 14 of his 20 points in the final period and according to NBA legend Jamal Crawford, Murray's dad gave him a pep talk at halftime that clearly helped:
“We all saw the incredible GW that Jamal Murray hit. What we didn’t all see was the halftime talk he had with his dad- Roger Murray to help get him back on track. After the game, he had his father right there with him. It was beautiful see that father / son dynamic.”
Jamal Murray sinks Lakers
Murray struggled immensely to begin the game, going 3 for 16. In the fourth, however, he was 6 for 8 and had enough confidence to take the game-winner, a difficult shot in it's own right. A 15-foot fadeaway jumper falling down over Anthony Davis. Absolutely insane:
There's no question his dad helped prepare Murray for moments like this. Last year, the former Kentucky standout revealed that his father would make him do squats with piping hot tea bags on his thighs “to make sure you do not waver”. Roger Murray made his son strong and ready for the big stage.
While Jamal Murray has yet to make an All-Star team, he's clearly a massive piece for this Nuggets group. Murray averaged 21.2 points per game during the regular season and in last year's title run, he averaged 32.5 PPG in the West Finals against the Lakers. Murray is built for the big moment and head coach Michael Malone acknowledged just that late last year:
“Playoff Jamal was real,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said. “What he did in the playoffs was just incredible. What he did in the NBA Finals, (averaging) 20-10-6, you don’t see that very often, when the stakes are at their highest.”
While Nikola Jokic may be Denver's best player, Murray is the one with the ball in his hands with the game on the line, as Aaron Gordon alluded to:
“He's really our closer,” Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said about Murray. “So, you got to just manage that, manage the game, pace himself. So when it comes down to the last like eight minutes of the game, or the last three minutes of the game, or the last 45 seconds of the game, he has the energy to close for us.”
The Nuggets now have a 2-0 lead over the Lakers, with the series shifting to Los Angeles. They've won 10 straight against the Purple and Gold in the playoffs, too. It's honestly pretty crazy to think Jamal Murray came off an ACL tear and proceeded to average 40 minutes per night en route to the title in 2022-23. He is truly a warrior and clearly, Murray's father is to thank for his son's toughness and will to compete.
I'm sure Nuggets fans everywhere are very appreciative.
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