Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets may want to redo the final sequence against the Washington Wizards Thursday night. With 5.6 seconds remaining, the Nuggets trailed 112-110. Raul Neto of the Wizards missed a floater, leading to Murray running a 3-on-1 fast break with a fourth Nuggets player trailing.
The Nuggets appeared destined for a game-tying layup. However, Murray slowed down as the lone Wizards player back, Bradley Beal, ran out to contest.
That’s when it all fell apart for Denver.
Fancundo Campazzo stopped on the wing. Michael Porter Jr. appeared to have a clear lane to the basket, but he inexplicably ran to the corner. Monte Morris stopped at the top of the key, and with the final seconds remaining Murray swung the pass to Campazzo, who threw up a desperation three that grazed the front of the rim as the final buzzer sounded.
A gut-wrenching outcome for Denver.
Murray shared an intriguing look that shows how much the Nuggets botched a sweet opportunity.
Three Denver players without a single red jersey feet away from them. All one had to do is cut to the basket for a soft bounce pass. Yet, all three were thinking of hitting a dagger with a three.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone expressed his disappointment.
Thanks to the gaffe, the Wizards completed the two-game series sweep this season against the Nuggets. Beal, the NBA’s leader in scoring, finished the game with 33 points. The botch overshadowed Murray’s game-high 34 points.
