Playoffs Round 1: Lakers lose series to Nuggets thanks to Jamal Murray’s game-winning buzzer-beater

Denver Nuggets rode on Jamal Murray's game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 5 of the series to officially close out their opening round playoff series over the Los Angeles Lakers. Murray hit a jumper over Austin Reaves from just inside the free-throw line to propel his side to a thrilling 108-106 win over the Lakers. The 27-year-old's shot fell with just less than four seconds in hand, which wasn't enough for the Lakers to respond with as they had no timeouts.

Talking about the Q1, Nuggets edged past Lakers with a 28-24 lead. In Q2, Lakers responded well and even managed to narrow down the deficit with a 29-22 lead. In the following Q3, Nuggests turned it around with a 31-26 lead, which proved to be decisive. In Q4, the Murray-starrer ended with a two-point lead despite a 27-27 scoreline.

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With this, Nuggestsofficially earned a 4-1 series win over the Lakers, which has sent them into the Western Conference semifinals. In the semis, they will lock horns with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who thrashed the Phoenix Suns in their first-round series.

Murray, who was in doubt for the gamedue to a calf strain, said on TNT, "I'm speechless. It's a dream come true. All these fans on your side to get it done in this fashion, I don't know. I don't know what to say. I'm just happy for us."

On the other hand, Lakers -- who went down to theNuggets in the Western Conference finals last season -- have now lost in the opening round of the playoffs twice in the last four seasons. Thus, they have a lot to ponder upon going ahead.