Denver Nuggets Outlast Los Angeles Lakers in Western Conference Finals Game 2

The Denver Nuggets got the better of the Los Angeles Lakers for the second straight game on Thursday night. On a tense, tightly-contested evening where both teams' superstars struggled to score consistently, the Nuggets topped the Lakers 108-103 to move to 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals.

Jamal Murray goes OFF in the 4th quarter to help Denver secure a 2-0 lead in the WCF!

37 PTS (23 PTS in the 4Q)
10 REB
6 3PM

DEN/LAL Game 2: Sat, 8:30 PM ET | ABC pic.twitter.com/wZ9k5YaUCa
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2023

As much as the Nuggets and Lakers stars excelled in Game 1, they struggled in Game 2. Anthony Davis followed Tuesday's 40-point masterpiece with a tough night, scoring 18 points on an ugly four of 15 from the field. LeBron James struggled as well, toiling to hit nine of 19 field goal attempts and pile up 22 points.

The Nuggets were only marginally better. Jokic logged his seventh triple-double of the postseason, compiling 17 rebounds and 12 assists, but his 23 points came on an inefficient nine of 21 from the field. The true hero of the night was Jamal Murray, who scored 23 points in the fourth quarter on his way to 37 total points. Despite the late fireworks, he only hit 11 of 24 field goal attempts; thankfully, six of 14 were from three.

Now down 0-2, the Lakers will have a chance to regroup as the series moves to Los Angeles for games 3 and 4. To their credit, they've kept both matchups close. Given the fact that they've yet to lose at home this postseason, there's no reason to panic quite yet.

Still, the Lakers will have to figure out something to do about Jokic and Murray, who have both been deadly all playoffs. Jokic is up to 30.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game over his 13 playoff games, and Murray isn't far behind him with 27.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. They've been arguably the most dominant duo of the playoffs.

The Lakers host the Nuggets for Game 3 on Saturday night at 8:30 PM ET.