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Jamal Murray clearly didn't think a 12-point halftime lead was enough against a feisty Timberwolves team.
The Nuggets lost Games 1 and 2 at home before dominating Game 3 in Minnesota. That same energy trickled over into Game 4, and Murray's halfcourt shot encapsulated it.
Murray intercepted Nickeil Alexander-Walker's inbound pass in the closing seconds of the second quarter and heaved a halfcourt prayer at the buzzer. Swish.
The buzzer-beater put the Nuggets up 64-49 at halftime, 24 minutes away from evening the series 2-2. Murray's 3-pointer gave him seven points on 3-of-5 shooting in the first half, which made for a much quieter night than Game 3.
Nikola Jokic has been the catalyst for Denver in Game 4, per usual. The 2024 NBA MVP finished the opening half with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. One of those steals came just before Murray's shot, beginning the wild end-of-half sequence.
Jokic picked up the ball on Anthony Edwards' turnover, finding Michael Porter Jr. leaking out ahead for a fastbreak dunk with 1.6 seconds remaining. That's when Alexander-Walker rushed the inbound pass, and Murray picked it off at halfcourt for his shot.
JAMAL MURRAY ARE YOU KIDDING ME 🤯
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 13, 2024
🎥: @NBA pic.twitter.com/V7oJmbuxPt
Murray's buzzer-beater also generated an iconic photo between Murray and legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan.
MORE: Jamal Murray fined for throwing heat pack onto floor in Game 2
Jamal Murray, Kevin Harlan photo reactions
Not only did Murray give fans arguably the sweetest halfcourt swish in recent memory, but he was a part of an iconic photo with Harlan just moments after.
Murray released his shot in front of Harlan and the TNT broadcasting crew, so when he saw the shot drop, he immediately turned and stared down Harlan.
Jamal Murray are you kidding?? pic.twitter.com/Y52nlcRMgZ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 13, 2024
Harlan didn't break character whatsoever, continuing to speak his excitement into the mic while looking back at the Nuggets guard.
Fans and media members are sharing the photo around the internet, as the flick likely would be memorable even if the shot didn't fall.
kevin harlan standing up to call it with murray staring at the booth is an absolute moment
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) May 13, 2024
Jamal Murray looking at Kevin Harlan after hitting the buzzer beater pic.twitter.com/UU68dOsz8W
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 13, 2024
This is up there with the Steph/Mike Breen “Bang! Bang!!!!!” moment in OKC.
— NBABeau (@NBABeau) May 13, 2024
Jamal Murray was perfect.
Kevin Harlan was legendary.
The TNT director made a perfect cut to Harlan and Murray.
And the cameraman sensed the moment and captured it for the world.
Great teamwork. pic.twitter.com/YvYzbKJQRX
