Life can change quickly, and Game 2 lived up to those words. At one point, the Los Angeles Lakers were in the driver’s seat heading to a vital road win. The Denver Nuggets cut it close by the end of the third but were still down. But as we have seen countless times, a hero without the cape emerges in the final minutes. This time, Jamal Murray put his team on his back. A fourth-quarter burst by Denver sealed the two wins at home. On the other hand, LeBron James and Anthony Davis struggled to produce anything for the Lakers.
As the Purple and Gold let the game slip away, the tweets began piling on. The King‘s nightmare in the clutch unsurprisingly led to Skip Bayless rising up and Shannon Sharpe in agony.
LeBron James faces the fire of the media
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Tonight wasn’t the picture-perfect night for LA’s most formidable stars. Both James and AD had it rough. While Denver kept firing in the fourth, the Lakers couldn’t answer to anything much due to the play choices. They wavered away from the traditional game plan to drive and resorted to taking threes – an attempt to match Denver’s flurry.
However, it proved no good. Jamal Murray had the hot hand, and his shot-making changed the game. Unfortunately for the Lakers, neither James nor Anthony Davis responded.
Watch This Story – After Nikola Jokic dismantles LeBron James and AD, Lakers legend Magic Johnson reacts to nail-biting Game 1 of WCF 2023
LeBron James had crucial misses, turnovers, and wild shots in the fourth, which irked not just the Laker Nation, but even himself as he frustratedly walked back to the locker room. While he dealt with his shortcoming, Skip Bayless launched his attack on the four-time MVP. He poked fun at James’ outrageous three-point numbers before saying he has ‘no clutch gene’.
LeBron James: triple jeopardy for the Lakers. He just won’t stop taking and missing threes, even though he’s down to almost 20% for the playoffs, all-time pathetic.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 19, 2023
LeBron James: no clutch gene.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 19, 2023
NFL legend Shannon Sharpe might be dreading reaching the Undisputed studio tomorrow as his tweet was more of a painful screech.
Too many UNNECESSARY 3s by Bron. AD struggling with his shot. Bron needs to get on the block against Green.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 19, 2023
FCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 19, 2023
Former Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins also weighed in on the game. Sticking to James and Anthony Davis, he was startled by neither of them making shots. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Bron and AD look this damn bad at the same time! God Bless America” he wrote.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Bron and AD look this damn bad at the same time! God Bless America
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 19, 2023
A long-time supporter of the 19-time All-Star Nick Wright was disappointed to watch the 2020 championship duo crumble as well. But he is confident the Lakers will win both games at home.
Not the way I saw that one going, I gotta say.
Luckily, it’ll be 2-2 going back to Denver, but that one is gonna sting. Let a golden opportunity get away.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 19, 2023
Jamal Murray shoots the Nuggets to a crucial Game 2 win
Nothing took over the night quite like Jamal Murray. Exhausted and gasping after each shot, it was a superhuman effort. After struggling for three quarters, he came alive at the most crucial time. Displaying elite shot-making, he scored 23 in the final twelve to lead the Nuggets’ 32-24 run. Nikola Jokic had yet another triple-double pouring in 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists.
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The Lakers’ prolific duo failed to show up tonight. LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for just 13-34 in a game the Purple and Gold had control. Rui Hachimura kept alive his dazzling bench contributions going off for 21 points. Austin Reaves scored a joint team-high 22 points that had some amazing plays in an effort to keep the Lakers alive.
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With the series now heading to Los Angeles, do you think LeBron James and Co. can even this contest? Let us know your views in the comments below.