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After losing the first three games of their Western Conference Round 1 clash in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers finally registered their first win over the defending champions, Denver Nuggets, since December 2022, snapping their 11-game losing streak. While many expected the Nuggets to sweep the Lakers, LeBron James' side received a major boost ahead of Game 5 as Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray had been listed as "questionable" for Monday's game.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has averaged 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1 steal per game in the regular season while the 27-year-old guard improved his stats in the post-season as he is averaging 21.5 points, 5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.3 blocks in four games against the Lakers.
Denver took the lead in Game 1 with a 114-103 score followed by their comeback from 20 points behind in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead with Murray hitting a game-winning buzzer-beater. In Game 3, the Lakers started well but lacked consistency in their attack in the second half of the game and eventually lost the game by seven points. While many believed the Nuggets would sweep the Lakers in Game 4, LeBron James and Anthony Davis came up big to beat the Nuggets.
During the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 119-108 loss at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night, Murray reportedly suffered a calf injury. Although he didn't leave the game on Saturday, the Nuggets have listed him questionable for Monday's game with a left calf injury. With the severity of Murray's injury unclear, Denver will require their star guard healthy to replicate their championship-winning season.