Nuggets-Lakers Instant Reaction: Jamal Murray shut down in the 2nd half, Denver collapses

Luka Doncic scored a game-high 38 points and finished with a triple-double and the Lakers shut down a red-hot Jamal Murray after halftime to come from behind and stun the Nuggets in Denver.

Murray shot lights out in the 1st half, but the Lakers adjusted defensively and the Nuggets had no answer. Murray finished with 28 points, Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon each added 18. Spencer Jones chipped in 16 points and shot 4-7 from 3-point range.

LeBron James finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Here’s what else stood out from the game.

Jamal goes OFF in the 1st half

This has been The Year of Jamal Murray as the Nuggets point guard is well on his way to locking in an All-Star selection for the first time in his career. His career season continued in the 1st half Tuesday against the Lakers.

Murray poured in 26 1st half points, the final three of which came on a half-court heave as time expired in the 2nd quarter. He could not miss.

Like he typically does, Murray was cooking the Lakers.

2nd half collapse

The Nuggets led 71-57 at halftime on the back of a huge first two quarters from Murray. Jones also went a perfect 4-4 from 3-point rage to help out the Nuggets’ offense.

Denver was in full control of the game. Then, the Lakers outscored the Nuggets 29-17 in the 3rd quarter. Denver’s offense stayed dorment. The Nuggets mustered just 19 points in the game-deciding 4th.

After scoring 26 in the 1st half. The Lakers held Murray to two points, which came with 1:05 remaining in the 4th, and took him completely out of the game. Denver’s offense had no counters.

The Nuggets scored just 36 points in the 2nd half. Their lowest in a 2nd half this season

Doncic masterclass

The NBA‘s leading scorer went off for a game-high 38 points on 12-21 shooting, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. No Nugget was really able to check Doncic or knock him off his game.

Doncic struggled from beyond the arc (he shot just 3-9 from 3-point range), but he was able to set his Lakers teammates up for open 3s. As a team, the Lakers shot 10-25 (40%) from 3.