Denver and OKC end series
Murray knocks the Los Angeles Lakers out cold
April 30, 2024, 6:45 a.m
The Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA record champions, the Denver Nuggets are the defending champions. Like last year, LeBron James’ season ends in this duel. Nuggets star Jamal Murray wins in a dramatic duel with the last throw.
The Los Angeles Lakers failed again in the NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets and once again gave up a lead. The NBA record champions lost to the defending champions in Denver 106:108 and suffered the decisive fourth defeat in the fifth game of the playoff series. Last year, both teams faced each other in the Western Conference finals, the Nuggets won this series 4-0 and then won the title in the final against the Miami Heat.
This year, the Lakers had given up a lead of 20 points once and twelve points twice in their defeats. In Game Five, the Lakers were up nine points midway through the third quarter and then lost control. Nuggets professional Jamal Murray completed the victory with the last goal four seconds before the end and scored a total of 32 points. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just happy for us,” Murray said. Nikola Jokić scored 25 points. For the Lakers, LeBron James had a night with 30 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds. He couldn’t prevent the end of his 21st season in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had previously won their fourth win in the fourth game against the New Orleans Pelicans and secured their place in the next round. At 97:89, the guests were still five points behind in the final quarter, but then took control and prevailed. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams each recorded 24 points. For the Pelicans, who had to do without their injured star Zion Williamson for the entire series, CJ McCollum had the best result with 20 points. In the series between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, the favored Celtics got their third win and can make the second round clear with another win after 102:88.