Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Jamal Murray’s 43-Point Outburst Guides Nuggets to Commanding 3-2 Lead Over Clippers in First Round of NBA Playoffs 2025

Jamal Murray dropped a 43-point performance on 65.4% shooting, including a season-high 8 threes.

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Jamal Murray’s one of the best playoff appearances helped the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 131-115 in Game 5 to take a decisive 3-2 lead in the first-round playoff series. It has been a commendable comeback from Denver after going 2-1 down in the series. The Clippers lost back-to-back games for the first time since March 4.

Jamal Murray dropped a 43-point performance on 65.4% shooting, including a season-high 8 threes. Nikola Jokic highlighted his 21st career playoff triple-double, and Russell Westbrook added 21 in his return from a foot injury. Aaron Gordon also contributed 23 points for the Nuggets, who held a 67-59 lead at halftime. Six players from the Clippers recorded in double figures.

JAMAL MURRAY PUT ON SHOW IN A PIVOTAL GAME 5!

🔥 43 PTS
🔥 8 3PM
🔥 7 AST
🔥 3 STL
🔥 17-26 FGM (65.4%)

His 6th-career 40+ point postseason game leaves the @nuggets 1 win away from advancing! pic.twitter.com/NSDYhnyku4
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2025

Also Read: Pacers vs. Bucks: Tyrese Haliburton’s Game-Winner in Final Seconds Eliminates Giannis and Bucks from NBA Playoffs 2025

Jamal Murray’s Takeover in Game 5 Put Clippers on the Edge of Elimination

Denver Nuggets outscored the Clippers 35-23 in the opening quarter and held an eight-point lead at the end of the first half. Kawhi Leonard led Los Angeles to spark a 13-4 run in the third quarter to cut Denver’s lead to eight points. With a late 11-3 run, the Nuggets stretched the lead to 99-83 heading to the fourth quarter, and Murray already crossed the 30-point mark.

The Nuggets had a 22-point lead early in the fourth quarter. The Clippers tried to push the comeback like they tried in the previous game, and Zubac’s seven points sparked his team’s 10-2 run, which reduced the deficit to 14 points.

RUSS DRILLS BACK-TO-BACK 3s 🎯🎯

Up to 16 for the game on TNT! pic.twitter.com/pwmhHmvxj9
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2025

Later, Los Angeles reduced the deficit to single digits at 116-107. Denver responded with 11 straight points and took full control of the game. Murray scored six and Gordon, the last game’s hero, added five in the closing run.

Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with a playoff career-high 27 points. Kawhi Leonard finished with 20, and Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 18. Jamal Murray shot 17-26 from the floor and 8-of-14 from 43-point range. Westbrook scored 16 first-half points in 12 minutes.

Also Read: WATCH: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton’s Father Involve in Heated Argument after Pacers Eliminate Bucks in NBA Playoffs 2025

The Clippers struggled in 3-point shooting and went 11-of-29 compared to the Nuggets’ 51.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Both teams tied on total rebounds at 38, and the Clippers outscored the Nuggets 62-46 in the paint. Both teams will go head-to-head in Game 6 at Intuit Dome on Thursday.

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray

Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Playoffs

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.