In Game 5, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers 108-106 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Jamal Murray scored the game-winning basket for the second time in the series.

Following their 11-game losing streak against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers were able to finally breathe.

“You sort of get that monkey off your back,” stated Davis following the success in Game 4. However, I believe that the reason we won tonight and the other three games—indeed, every game we have lost to them in a row—is because we just scored…That, I believe, made a difference tonight.

If increased scoring was the key, they would have needed it more in Game 5 in Denver. Winning a game and ending a protracted losing skid is one thing. It’s another to win an elimination game against the reigning champs on their home court.

In Game 5, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers 108-106 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Jamal Murray scored the game-winning basket for the second time in the series.

Murray, speaking on his second game-winning shot of the series, remarked, “Those are shots you dream of as a little kid.” “You practice those shots in the backyard and on the playground.”

In the end, Nikola Jokic had twenty rebounds, nine assists, and twenty points. Murray possessed thirty-two.

“[Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray] have my complete trust.” On the last play of the game, Mike Malone, the head coach of the Nuggets, stated, “That’s why I didn’t call a timeout.” “Let the industry’s top two-man team play their game. It’s really amazing for Jamal Murray to add two game-winners to his playoff legacy in a series.”

LeBron James was also quite down on the field. “The King” finished with nine rebounds, 11 assists, and 30 points. With 27 seconds left, he made two free throws to level the score at 106-106, but Murray once more came to Denver’s rescue.

LeBron stated, “You tip your hat to them,” following the defeat. “Supporting winners. Amazing crew. They have good coaching. In the last moments, they executed the necessary plays to win both the game and the series. When credit is deserved, you give it.”

Despite suffering a shoulder injury in the third quarter, Anthony Davis managed to finish with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

“I felt a little resentful. About the injury that compelled him to quit the game and head back to the locker room, Davis stated, “I lost function and felt from my neck all the way to my hand.” “I returned to the game, and KCP [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope] hit me again.” It worsened as a result. I made an effort to rejoin the field and support the squad because I understood how important the game was.”

After Davis left the game, the Nuggets went on a rampage and took the lead again. With Davis down, the Lakers lost an 8-point lead to the Nuggets and Ham went more than five minutes without calling a timeout.

It’s difficult. The sad circumstances surrounding Anthony Davis’ injury,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham remarked following the defeat. “They manage to make that run. They’re a fantastic club and the defending champions for a reason, so it’s just one of those games. They are adept at gutting victories. They are not new to that place. I’m incredibly proud of our crew.

The Nuggets fans were boisterous and enthusiastic throughout Game 5, creating a hostile atmosphere for the Lakers as they attempted to end the Lakers’ season and remove them from the NBA Playoffs.

The Lakers started the game a little slowly for the first time in the series. They trailed 28-24 after the opening 12 minutes of play on Monday night, despite winning the first quarter in the first four games of the series.

However, the Lakers recovered in the second quarter, scoring 29 points, and led 53–50 at the half for the fifth consecutive game.

The third quarter has been the Lakers’ weakest point the whole season and throughout the series. In Game 5, the script stayed the same as the Lakers lost the lead going into the fourth quarter and were outscored 31–26 in the third quarter for the fifth straight game.

The Lakers had a 69-60 lead at one point in the third quarter, but the Nuggets responded with a 14-2 run to take a three-point advantage.

When it came to taking the lead in games, the Lakers controlled the series. Compared to the Nuggets, who led the series for just 50 minutes, Los Angeles led for nearly 150 minutes.

The Lakers have failed to shut out the Nuggets in the closing minutes of each of their last 13 games played over the previous two years, despite their disadvantage in minutes lead.

In Game 5, it was more of the same. With 4:12 left in the game, the score was tied at 95-95. Both teams then took turns seizing the lead, and with 27 seconds left, James tied the game at 106-106.

The Lakers were unable to call a timeout and advance the ball after Murray made the game-winning basket because, regrettably, they were out of timeouts. In order to win the game, they had three seconds to gather themselves and execute a half-court heave.

“I believed that to be elite basketball. They had one final chance to win it at the end of the day. Austin Reaves, a guard for the Lakers who scored 19 points in the defeat and was defending Murray on that last possession, said, “Jamal hit a tough fadeaway over me.” It’s difficult. I’m irritated.”

Following the game, there were several reasons to provide for why the Lakers’ season was once again ended by the Nuggets.

In Game 5, Denver made 16 three-pointers while the Lakers only managed 10. The Nuggets defeated the opposition 15 to 8, and many of those three-pointers were made off second-chance points.

At the free-throw line, there was yet another difference in the game. In a game they lost by two points, the Lakers shot 18 of 27 (66 percent) from the foul line and missed nine foul shots. All night long, the Nuggets just missed one free throw.

“We missed some free throws, gave up some second-chance points late, it is what it is,” Ham stated. “You just have to learn from it, grow from it, and be better mentally, emotionally, and physically.”

Despite missing his one and only free throw, Michael Porter Jr. more than made up for it in the win, scoring 26 points and making five three-pointers.