And to think he's not an All-Star… After defeating the Lakers in Game 2 at the buzzer, Jamal Murray brought it back! This time, the clock prevented him from taking his shot at the siren, but the result is the same: a “game winner” three seconds from the siren to send the Lakers on vacation!
It's only the 4th time in history, since the NBA implemented “play-by-play” that a player scores two game-winning baskets in the last five seconds in the playoffs. The previous ones are Robert Horry (2002), Hedo Turkoglu (2009) and LeBron James (2018). The Denver leader is even the first to achieve this feat in the same series!
He begged the staff to play
” I am speechless. It's a dream come true.” he says at the edge of the field. “To do this here, in front of this audience… I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy for us.”
Author of 32 points and 7 assists, Murray was uncertain before the match due to calf pain. But he was there, in uniform, and he made the difference again. “I didn’t want to sit still… The staff was very careful because they were afraid I would make my injury worse. But I didn't want to abandon my brothers. I was a little upset because I didn't want to sit there… I'm just grateful that they gave me the opportunity to play and score that basket. »
Jamal Murray is “a warrior”
Mike Malone confirmed that Murray was very uncertain, but he did insist, and the medical staff let him play. “He came to me and said, 'I'm glad I can play because I don't know if we're going to win if I don't play tonight.' I told him it was the understatement of the year,” says Malone. “This kid is a warrior. The more important the moment, the more it continues to shine. »
The Nuggets coach explains why he didn't take a timeout after LeBron James' two throws. “I have absolute confidence in Jamal to take the last shot. That's why I didn't take a timeout… Let's let the best duo in the NBA find their place in possession and play their game…”
