Jamal Murray brought some Michael Jordan flavor to the Nuggets series against the Lakers.
The worst kind of NBA debates usually involve LeBron James and Michael Jordan. So let’s skip the whole LeBron-MJ comparison and just appreciate the Jordan impression Jamal Murray pulled off Thursday night.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Murray took on LeBron with a classic Michael Jordan move, the up-and-under.
It was absolutely gorgeous.
Go ahead and play that highlight again, because it’s worth being on a loop.
It even had NBA fans asking: Who did it better?
Jordan’s finish in the 1991 NBA Finals will always be iconic, but there is something to be said for Murray pulling it off with LeBron contesting his initial dunk attempt. Even the Los Angeles Lakers star would have to tip his cap to that move.
Jamal Murray channeled Michael Jordan to beat LeBron at the basket.
Murray has good reason to be confident right now. He was a key figure in Denver Nuggets‘ Game 3 victory over Los Angeles, giving them a chance to even up the series on Thursday night. In that 114-106 win, he had 28 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.
Denver could use another performance like that — along with a few more highlight-worthy plays — from Murray in Game 4. By halftime, the point guard was on his way there with 16 points and 4 assists in 20 minutes of action.
Despite Murray’s efforts, the Nuggets found themselves trailing the Lakers at the break, 60-55. Considering the Lakers led by 12 at one point, that wasn’t a bad position to be in at halftime.
If Denver can pull off a Game 4 win, they’ll have successfully tied the series, 2-2. If the Lakers prevail, they will move one game away from the NBA Finals. There’s a lot on the line on Thursday night. Jamal Murray sure is playing like it.