NBA Playoffs: Murray's Half-Court Buzzer Beater Helps Denver Even Series Against Minnesota

Nikola Jokic showcased his prowess by scoring 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, while Aaron Gordon contributed significantly with 27 points on an impressive 11-for-12 shooting performance, leading the Denver Nuggets to a crucial 115-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Jamal Murray also made a notable impact with 12 of his 19 points coming in the third quarter, building on the momentum created by his buzzer-beating shot from beyond half court as the second quarter ended. This timely basket provided a crucial boost for the defending champions, who managed to score eight points in the final 20 seconds of the second quarter, thwarting a resurgence by the home team spurred by Anthony Edwards' three-pointer, which had narrowed the deficit to just seven points.

WHAT A SEQUENCE. WHAT A SHOT. THAT'S JUST JAMAL MURRAY. pic.twitter.com/9urX9myNt8

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 13, 2024

In another remarkable display, Anthony Edwards notched an impressive 44 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves, shooting an impressive 16 for 25 from the field. However, despite holding a 42-31 rebounding advantage, the Wolves were outplayed in their own arena for the second consecutive time by the Denver Nuggets, who were motivated after dropping the first two games of the series on their home court. The series now shifts back to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday night.

While Mike Conley contributed 15 points, Karl-Anthony Towns struggled, shooting just 5 for 18 from the field for 13 points and 12 rebounds. Rudy Gobert came alive late in the game, adding 11 points and 14 rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Wolves found themselves on the back foot once again at home.

The Wolves, feeling the effects of three off days between Games 2 and 3, failed to maintain their momentum, succumbing to a 27-point defeat. Coach Chris Finch expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that the team felt "fat and lazy" after being praised for their performances in Denver. In response, Edwards led the charge, scoring nine points in the opening minutes, before Jamal Murray even had a chance to get involved.

Following a subdued performance in Game 3, Edwards was determined to lead the Wolves to victory. Despite the Nuggets focusing their defensive efforts on him, Edwards showcased his scoring ability from all over the court. However, the rest of the Wolves failed to capitalize on the opportunities created by the attention on Edwards.

The Nuggets executed their game plan effectively, replicating the defensive intensity and depth that the Wolves had displayed in the first two games. Secondary scorers like Aaron Gordon, Justin Holiday, Christian Braun, and Reggie Jackson stepped up, particularly from beyond the arc, fueling a pivotal 26-4 run that spanned the first and second quarters. Notably, the majority of these points were scored while Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was on the bench.

In the other matchup on Sunday, Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 20 points, supported by TJ McConnell's double-double of 15 points and 10 assists, as the Indiana Pacers cruised to a commanding 121-89 victory over the New York Knicks. With this win, the Pacers leveled the Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2 in dominant fashion. Haliburton also contributed six rebounds, five assists, and connected on four three-pointers, orchestrating a comprehensive performance for the Pacers. Although the margin fell just short of their most significant postseason win, achieved with a 34-point victory over Cleveland in April 2018, the Pacers thoroughly controlled the game from start to finish. The series now heads to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Knicks, who were once again hampered by the absence of four key players due to injuries, appeared to struggle with fatigue throughout the game.

Addressing the team's situation, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson emphasized the need to focus on the task at hand despite the roster challenges. "We can talk about fresher legs and you can give us all the pity we want," Brunson stated. "Yeah, we’re short-handed, but that doesn’t matter right now. We have what we have. So there’s no 'we’re short-handed,' there’s no excuse. We lose, we lose. That’s what that was."