Jamal Murray sank a 51-foot buzzer-beater at the complete of the first half to grant the Denver Nuggets a 64-63 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series, a shot that capped an 8-0 run and shifted momentum back to the home team after Minnesota had taken an eight-point lead with two minutes left in the half.
The shot, taken from well behind half court with 0.3 seconds remaining, was Murray’s second clutch play of the night and came after the Timberwolves had rallied from a 19-point deficit to take their first lead since the opening minutes. Anthony Edwards, who finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, had just headed to the free throw line for a potential three-point play when Murray collected the inbound and launched the desperation heave that swished through the net as the buzzer sounded.
Denver entered the game with a 1-0 series lead after Murray’s 16-for-16 performance from the free throw line in Game 1, a franchise record that helped the Nuggets overcome a 1-for-17 shooting night from beyond the arc in the second half. His composure at the stripe — “I thought I got fouled on every single one of them,” Murray said afterward — proved critical when Denver’s perimeter shooting deserted them, allowing them to hold on for a 116-105 victory and take a lead in eight of their nine series openers since 2023.
The Timberwolves showed resilience but lacked the closing punch to finish
Minnesota’s offense, led by Edwards and Julius Randle, repeatedly clawed back into contention through bursts of efficiency, including a 24-4 run that erased a Denver lead and a 10-possession scoring streak that gave them a 64-58 advantage with 1:11 left in the second quarter. Randle contributed 18 points in the first half, while Edwards attacked the paint and kicked out to open shooters, keeping the Timberwolves within striking distance despite Denver’s defensive pressure.
But the Timberwolves failed to convert key opportunities in the final minutes of the half, settling for contested shots instead of exploiting the Nuggets’ lapses in communication. After Murray’s buzzer-beater, Denver carried the momentum into the third quarter, where they held a 75-73 lead with 6:21 remaining as Edwards prepared to shoot free throws — a moment that underscored how narrowly the game remained balanced despite the shifting runs.
History and home-court advantage give Denver a psychological edge
The Nuggets and Timberwolves are tied 9-9 in playoff meetings since 2023, reflecting a rivalry defined by narrow margins and tactical adjustments. Denver’s 3-1 regular-season record against Minnesota this year was built on Nikola Jokic’s dominance in the paint — the only player in NBA history to lead the league in both rebounds and assists in a single season — and the league’s highest-performing offense, which thrives on spacing and timing rather than isolation.
Still, Minnesota possesses the tools to extend the series: Edwards finished third in the NBA scoring race, Rudy Gobert remains an elite rim protector and rebounder, and Austin Rivers — now an analyst for NBC — brings unique insight having played for both teams. As NBC’s broadcast noted, the Timberwolves need only a couple of key breaks in Denver and solid performances in Minneapolis to pose a serious threat, even without the historical dominance of franchises like the Thunder or Spurs.
Murray’s free-throw consistency reflects a broader evolution in his game
Murray’s 16-for-16 night wasn’t an isolated flash but the culmination of a season in which he averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists and three-point percentage, becoming the only player to average at least 25 points and seven assists while shooting 40% from deep. His ability to relax and let the game come to him — a mindset forged after years of chasing shots — has transformed him into a steadying force for a Nuggets team that has relied on him more than ever as Jokic and Aaron Gordon battled injuries.
That evolution was evident in Game 1, where Murray dismissed suggestions his free throws were questionable: “I don’t know what everybody’s talking about. [They were] real fouls.” His confidence at the line, combined with his late-game shot-making, has made him one of the most reliable clutch performers in the league, a trait that could prove decisive in a series where every possession carries weight.
What was the significance of Jamal Murray’s 51-foot buzzer-beater in Game 2?
It ended the first half with Denver leading 64-63, capped an 8-0 run that shifted momentum after Minnesota had taken an eight-point lead, and came from well behind half court with 0.3 seconds left.
How did the Nuggets win Game 1 despite poor three-point shooting?
Jamal Murray made all 16 of his free throws — a franchise record — and Denver hit 30 of 33 from the line, compensating for a 1-for-17 night from beyond the arc in the second half.
