The Denver Nuggets took a 3-2 lead in their first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, thanks to some brilliance from Jamal Murray.
Despite struggling through the first four games, Murray returned to form in a massive way in Game 5, scoring 43 points to secure a Nuggets win.
Murray's mastery ensured a 16 point win for Denver, carrying the team through a relatively down game from superstar Nikola Jokić.
Jamal Murray returns to form with explosive Game 5 performance
Jamal Murray reminded the NBA world why he was so crucial to Denver's 2023 title in Game 5, scoring the third-most points of his playoff career to propel the Nuggets to a win.
JAMAL MURRAY PUT ON SHOW IN A PIVOTAL GAME 5!
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2025
🔥 43 PTS
🔥 8 3PM
🔥 7 AST
🔥 3 STL
🔥 17-26 FGM (65.4%)
His 6th-career 40+ point postseason game leaves the @nuggets 1 win away from advancing! pic.twitter.com/NSDYhnyku4
The Canadian star netted 43 points on 17-26 shooting, to go along with seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals during the performance, bouncing back from a disappointing 13 point effort the game before.
This game also saw Murray break his tie with teammate Jokić for the most 40-point playoff games in Denver history, with six.
But despite the win, Denver aren't getting too ahead of themselves, with last year's brutal loss to Minnesota fresher in their minds than the title run two seasons ago.
"We won [Game 5] last year," head coach David Adelman said.
"Everybody was so excited about the swing game, and then we got absolutely blown out in Game 6 and lost a really tough Game 7 in Minnesota.
"If you start thinking ahead, 'hey this is how the story’s going to end', if you write a conclusion, I think you’re in trouble."
The Nuggets will hope to close out the series in Game 6 Friday, and move through to a second round clash against a dominant-looking Oklahoma City Thunder squad.
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