Jamal Murray clearly didn’t think a 12-point halftime lead was enough against a struggling Timberwolves team.
The Nuggets lost Games 1 and 2 at home before dominating Game 3 in Minnesota. That same energy carried over into Game 4, and Murray’s half-court shot summed it up.
Murray intercepted Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s incoming pass in the final seconds of the second quarter and launched a half-court prayer at the buzzer. Whistle.
The buzzer put the Nuggets up 64-49 at halftime, 24 minutes away from tying the series at 2-2. Murray’s 3-pointer gave him seven points on 3-of-5 shooting in the first half, making the night much quieter than the third game.
Nikola Jokic has been Denver’s catalyst in Game 4, as usual. The 2024 NBA MVP finished the first half with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. One of those steals came just before Murray’s shot, starting the crazy sequence at the end of the half.
Jokic picked up the ball on an Anthony Edwards turnover, finding a breaking Michael Porter Jr. for a fast-break dunk with 1.6 seconds left. That’s when Alexander-Walker scrambled to make the incoming pass and Murray intercepted him at half court for his shot.
JAMAL MURRAY Are you kidding me?
?: @NBA pic.twitter.com/V7oJmbuxPt
– Sports news (@sportingnews) May 13, 2024
Murray’s buzzer-beater also spawned an iconic photo between Murray and legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan.
Photo Reactions of Jamal Murray and Kevin Harlan
Not only did Murray give fans possibly the sweetest half-court kiss in recent memory, but he was also part of an iconic photo with Harlan moments later.
Murray shot in front of Harlan and the TNT broadcast crew, so when he saw the shot land, he immediately turned and looked at Harlan.
Jamal Murray, are you kidding me? pic.twitter.com/Y52nlcRMgZ
– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 13, 2024
Harlan didn’t break character at all and continued to express his excitement into the microphone while looking at the Nuggets guard.
Fans and members of the media are sharing the photo online, as the movie would likely be memorable even if the shot didn’t fall.
Kevin Harlan standing up to call him out with Murray watching the booth is an absolute moment.
—Robby Kalland (@RKalland) May 13, 2024
Jamal Murray looking at Kevin Harlan after ringing the bell pic.twitter.com/UU68dOsz8W
– Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 13, 2024
This is right up there with the “Bang! Bang!!!!!” moment in OKC.
Jamal Murray was perfect.
Kevin Harlan was legendary.
The TNT director made a perfect cut for Harlan and Murray.
And the cameraman sensed the moment and captured it for the world.
Great team work. pic.twitter.com/YvYzbKJQRX
– NBABeau (@NBABeau) May 13, 2024
