Jamal Murray Sends the Lakers Back to Los Angeles

Nikola Jokić – B

Jokić turned it over seven times against the Lakers. He’s prone to turning it over, but that’s typically a symptom of his high usage as a playmaker. In Game 5, he committed several head-scratching mistakes, which is exceedingly rare for the best player in the world. It made things more complicated than they needed to be for Denver, which was the theme of their 5-game series win.

Lest we sound spoiled, we should acknowledge all Jokić did well. He finished with 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 9 assists in the win. He now has more total points, rebounds, and assists than any player in the playoffs. It does feel like he left some meat on the bone in the first round, but that feeling tells me more about my expectations than his production. Like LeBron James was for years, Jokić is held to a different standard than every player in the league. He is no longer in competition with his peers. He competes with the legends who played before him. He’s chasing ghosts whether he cares to or not.

Jamal Murray – A+

Murray burst through his slump with a glorious return to form in Game 5. He led all scorers with 32 points, including another game-winning bucket. There will never be a more complicated player to describe. There will never be a more complicated player to predict. One of his worst shooting performances in the postseason will be remembered for not one but two game-winning shots—the first of his playoff career.

Murray is inconsistent in the regular season but arguably the biggest playoff riser in the history of the NBA. And yet, he’s not bulletproof in the playoffs, either. He’s struggled through a handful of games. His greatness is like a term paper. You know it must happen by the end of the year. And you know it’s going to happen. You’re just not sure when or how.

We’re not done building the playoff lore, either. Murray was questionable with a left calf strain before tip-off. His warm-up was brief and featured a gnarly wrap around his leg. The Nuggets decided to shut him down, but he had other ideas. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I wasn’t able to play in this game,” Murray told the media. He demanded the start and turned in his best game of the series. Go figure.

Michael Porter Jr. – A+

With another spectacular performance, Porter Jr. put the cherry on top of his best playoff series. He scored 26 points on only 12 shots and played with tremendous energy on both sides. Porter was a game-high +12 while logging 46 minutes in a two-point win. Denver consistently won his minutes throughout round one. MPJ averaged 22.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in five games, shooting 55.3% from the field and 48.8% from 3. He averaged four made threes a game and currently leads the playoffs with 20 makes. The Lakers could not guard him. Rui Hachimura and LeBron James have the size to match up, but they both tend to fall asleep off the ball. Porter took advantage by relocating well and knocking down almost everything that came his way. We’ve never seen him play so confidently and so sharply. Denver will need that player in the second round. The Wolves are built to guard Murray and Jokić. Porter can be a difference maker.

Aaron Gordon – B-

As great as Gordon played in Game 3, he shrank in Game 4. Denver needed a more physical effort from him, particularly on the glass. AG obliged in the series clincher, pulling down 13 rebounds, including the biggest one of the game. He secured five offensive boards in the win.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – C

Pope is banged up. The sprained right pinky clearly bothers him, and he nearly left Game 5 for good after spraining his left ankle. Pope struggled to make shots for most of the night, and most of the series, but he did come up clutch in a couple of moments. Most notably, he drained a three to take the lead with six minutes remaining.

Reggie Jackson – C

Jackson came out firing, which was a good thing before it turned into a maddening thing. He scored 8 quick points before taking some ill-advised shots. Still, his 8 points led all scorers off Denver’s bench.

Christian Braun – D

It was an awfully quiet game and series for Braun. He barely factored into this matchup for the second year in a row.

Peyton Watson – C+

Watson only really contributed one shot. But man was it a big shot. The rookie drained one from the corner to push the fourth quarter to lead to five. The start to the fourth quarter is always crucial in a tight game. Jokić is typically off the floor, and someone has to step up. Watson obliged in this instance.

Justin Holiday – F

The Nuggets got absolutely crunched with Holiday on the floor.