Lakers vs Nuggets live online: stats, scores and highlights | 2023 NBA Playoffs - Western Conference finals Game 2

The Lakers & Nuggets put on a show in Game 2 but the star of it all was Jamal Murray

It goes without saying that the Lakers are now in trouble, but it would be unfair to say that they don't have the quality, talent and grit to get out of it as was clearly evidenced tonight.

In what was a tight game right through, LA actually maintained a lead for the majority of it. That is until Jamal Murray simply went off. With 22 second half points, Murray is the main reason why the Nuggets now have a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Where the stars are concerned, it's got to be said that both LeBron James and Nikola Jokic had quiet nights offensively, but that's not to say they weren't key for their respective teams in other ways. Indeed, James was stellar on defense, forcing several turnovers out of Jokic in fact. In defense of the Serbian's not-so-prolific night, he too was key on defense, with a solid shift against Anthony Davis.

Yet, mention has got to be made of Jamal Murray one again. The Canadian point guard was everywhere - he played the entire second half - and then some. That's before we mention the manner in which he freaked out in the 4th with an incredible shooting display from beyond the arc.

Ultimately, this series is far from over but it would be naive to think that the Lakers can do anything less than turn in sensational performances from this point on, if they're to get back in it.

A goodnight to all of you and don't forget to join us again for Game 3!

James tries to race to the basket but is stripped of the ball by Brown who will dribble it out. That's a wrap folks and the Nuggets take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Murray fouled immediately and will go to the line again. He scores both and it's a 5-point Denver lead.

Murray misses his second and it's a 5-point lead which is cut to 3 after Austin Reaves makes a difficult layup in traffic.

Murray drains both from the line and it's a 4-point lead with 19 on the clock.

JAmes misses what should have been an easy basket and Murray gets the rebound, but he's fouled immediately. He'll go to the line.

It's a 4-point lead for the Nuggets as we look at the last 30 seconds of the game. Nuggets call a time-out.

Murray is at the line after being fouled. The man of the moment makes his first and his second and we've got a 4-point lead. James appears to be in pain.

Great defense from the Lakers to force Jokic's miss, but James is in pain after going down. Doesn't matter as Austin Reaves responds with a huge 3. It's a 3-point game.

Lakers defend well but James misses the shot on the resulting play. Jokic grabs the rebound and is immediately fouled by Jokic. Time is running out for the Lakers.

Nuggets ball after James cuts it to 5.

Off we go again and it's the Nuggets ball, but Jokic misplaces the pass. Davis tries from beyond the arc, but misses which leaves it to Murray who drains it again, but it's just 2. That's a 7-point lead.

Now that's how you respond. Anthony Davis with the 3 from the corner to cut it to 5. Nuggets call a timeout.

James again with a classy layup and it's followed by a bizarre inbound violation from Porter Jr.. It's now an 8-point game.

This is getting out of hand now. That's another three from Jamal Murray and it's a 10 point lead after James immediately responds with a banked shot. The Lakers can't lose focus now.

LeBron wouldn't have liked that either

It's now clear that Jamal Murray means business.

Jamal Murray is officially on fire. A huge three to take the lead to 9 and then Porter Jr. does the same. It's raining in Denver. That's a 12-point lead for the Nuggets. Ouch.

Jamal Murray is officially on fire. A huge three to take the lead to 9 and then Porter Jr. does the same. It's raining in Denver. That's a 12-point lead for the Nuggets. Ouch.

Davis cuts the lead to 4 after his two free throws following a foul by Jokic.

That's gotta hurt. Right off the bat Bruce Brown with the 3 and the Nuggets have a 6-point lead, their biggest of the game.

In your face

Anthony Davis wouldn't have liked that one bit. Nuggets with the lead courtesy of Jamal Murray.

Jamal Murray is putting the Nuggets on his back

Murray struggled initially but he's definitely not doing that now.

Huge three from Jamal Murray in Anthony Davis' face. The Nuggets are up by 4 and the Lakers call it timeout.

Davis misses from close range. Murray brings it up. Denver is starting to grow in confidence.

Nuggets ball after an offensive foul on Hachimure and they've got the 1-point lead.

Jamal Murray with a big three Nuggets lead for the first time in a while. It's 84-83.

Hachimura is heavily fouled and he'll go to the line. He makes the first which means it's 82-81 Lakers. He makes the second and he's now on 18, the leading scorer for LA.

James appears to flop, but the Nuggets don't challenge the call on Jokic and it's back to a 2-point lead which Murray cuts immediately. James misses from the arc and the Nuggets are at it again. This time it's James who is called for the foul on Jokic.The game is tied.

Another big three from Porter Jr. We've got a tied game, but not for long as Walker hits a floater.

We're at it once more. Lakers with miss from beyond the arc and it's Nuggets who bring it up. There's a foul on the play and Murray will inbound.

3rd quarter is over

It's clutch time now folks and both teams know it. The Lakers have got a slim lead, but they'll have to know that the Nuggets are going to bring the heat in the 4th. What have we got in store for us?

There's currently a review going on as officials are taking a look at the very last bucket of the game. The Nuggets want a goaltending call on Anthony Davis after he stopped Jokic's last shot. It's been called, meaning it's a 3-point lead. There's 500ths of a second on the clock.

That's the end of the 3rd and the Lakers have got a 3-point lead.

It's the final seconds of the quarter and the Lakers are up by 5 but the Nuggets have the ball. Jokic misses his attempt from beyond the arc.

Davis sinks both after going to the line and the Lakers up by 3.

Bruce Brown is blocked by Russell in the paint. These two have been going at it. Nuggets ball. Lakers with the two-point lead.

Murray must have heard me as he finds his range on that play and we've got a tied game.

The Nuggets are on an 8-0 run at the moment and have brought the game to within 2. Here we go again.

Bruce Brown with a timely 3-pointer. It's now a 4-point game and the Nuggets have the ball. Brown takes it to the rim and Davis is called for goal tending. It's a 2-point game and Lakers call a timeout

Time is ticking away in the 3rd and the Nuggets have missed a succession of shots, while the Lakers haven't. That's another basket for Hachimura who is now 8 for 8. Crazy.

Big play from Gordon who displaces Davis for a big dunk. It's a 6-point game.

Reaves takes an inadvertent blow to the face from Brown.

We're off and running again. It's 68-62 in the 3rd and it's Lakers ball. Here we go!

A big basket from Porter Jr. and the Lakers call a timeout. It's a 6-point game now.

James with another steal - he's having an impressive night defensively - and James is rewarded with the pass for the dunk. That's an 11-point lead.

Davis isolates Jokic and gets the foul. He'll go to the line. Davis is now 7-7 from the line and the Lakers have got a 9-point lead.

It's a 64-55 Lakers lead and the Nuggets have the ball and Austin Reaves is called for a blocking foul. James can't believe it. In truth, it looked more like a charge. None the less Porter Jr. sinks both from the line.

Jamal Murray has to step up

Though he's controlled the rhythm of the game for his team and contributed with some key assists, the Nuggets need their guard to produce more points. He's had some open looks and airballed it. That's just not good enough.

It's now a 9-point lead after Russell cuts to the basket. Nuggets call a timeout.

Jokic with a big play and 1 with it after Anthony Davis fouls him. He'll go to the line.

Jokic gets it inside to Gordon for an aggressive dunk. Davis tries to respond but misses and Jokic with the rebound.

LA have an 8-point lead again as Jokic airballs for a shot clock violation. Lakers ball.

Here we go again

The Lakers have set out their stall

It's been quite clear what the Lakers' game plan is when it comes to Jokic and to be fair it's worked so far. Yet, one has to imagine that a player like Jokic won't be chained for too long.

And 1 for the Joker

Another slick play from the Nuggets star who currently leads his team in scoring with 16 points

Let's talk about Rui

It's safe to say that the 25-year-old was the best player on the court in the first half.

That's the end of the half and the Lakers will go to the locker room with a 5-point lead. It's been a wild ride in this first half. What have we got in store for us in the 2nd.

Jokic is fouled and the Nuggets will inbound. They need to finish the half strong.

Lakers are closing it out and that's an alley-oop from James to Hachimura. Again this kid is having a game.

Two offensive boards by Jokic come to nothing as he fails to score. Lakers ball and we're closing in on the last seconds of the half with Lakers leading 51-48.

James is trying to set the court but the Laers appear slightly sluggish. Reaves tries a difficult shot and misses. It's Nuggets' ball and it appears the Lakers are starting to struggle with their shooting.

Big rebound by Jokic who finds Gordon for the dunk. It's a 1-point game here. James misses the three again and it's the Nuggets' ball.

James misses a three and the Nuggets make their way up the court. There is some chatter going on between the teams, but to be fair this has been a physical game.

Jokic got tangled but manages to find Brown who gets an open look in the paint. it's a 5-point game.

We're back at it an Hachimura is fouled. He'll go to the line. This kid is on fire.

Murray in the corner for 3 and we've got a 5 point game. Lakers call a timeout.

Nuggets are going to need to get something going and it appears Jokic hearrd me. With a sweet hook and the foul he's got a shot at 3. It's 47-39.

James is stropped of the ball and wants the foul, but he will have to settle for an in bound after the ref calls it out of bounds. Davis is fouled off of it and will go to the line.

Murray with a 3-point attempt but he misses and Jokic fires it up court to Murray who is alone. An easy 2. It's 45-36 LAkers.

Anthony Davis has no answer for Jokic as the Serbian takes it to the hoop. With that Davis responds with a difficult shot and is fouled in the process. He's got a chance at 3.

James goes down hard after contact with Murray and draws the foul, but he's slow to get up and appears to be in some discomfort.

Off we go once more. Nuggets ball and the Lakers lead 40-32.

Meanwhile Rui Hachimura is going off

The Japanese born star is having himself a party on the court and it seems the Nuggets weren't invited.

Here's a look at the LeBron error

Just lost the ball...

Now that's something you don't see every day. James gets away on his own and goes for the dunk, but the ball slips out of his hands and goes out of bounds. We've got a timeout.

Jokic tries to calm things down with a difficult floater which he sinks. Austin Reaves responds with a quick 2.

Hachimura is on one tonight. That's 6 for 6 as he goes under the hoop with a reverse layup from the opposite side of the ring.

The Nuggets respond with a three from Porter.

Let's go again! Nuggets have the ball and Murray tries to go to work but he misses. Lakers ball. Can they stretch the lead. That's a yes as James profits from a pick and roll to take it to the basket.

It's Hachimura again and he's now 5 for 5. Nuggets call a time out.

LeBron tries to take it to the hoop but we've got a kicked ball. Lakers have it again.

We're off and running once again and it's Rui Hachimora with another basket which puts him on 9 so far. He's 4 for 4 on the night from the field. Lakers lead 32-27.

That's the end of the first quarter and it's tied at 27-27. It's been a physical one with both teams committing a number of turn overs.

The battle between the big men - Jokic and Davis - has been central so far, but it's got to be said that neither has found their footing just yet. Nor has LeBron James who has been strangely quiet so far. Stay with us for the 2nd.

We're in the final minute of the quarter and we've got a tied game at 27-27.

It's tied game.and Russell misses an open look and Jackson makes LA play with an aggressive drive to the hoop and a dunk to boot.

Jokic draws a foul in the paint against Davis - his first - and he'll go to the line. Another foul that seems suspect.

Murray makes both and it's one point game with the Nuggets retaining possession

It's called a flagrant in the end and Murray goes to the line. The Lakers are not pleased with the call, not at all.

Another turn over by the Lakers and Murray attempts to take advantage, but Russell commits a foul midair. We've got a review of the play, but I've got my suspicions about whether that was flagrant. Russell seemed to have caught the ball before making contact.

Shot clock runs out on the Nuggets after Jokic appeared to have been fouled but didn't get the call. Lakers bring it up with a 3-point lead at 23-20

Back again and it's Reaves with an attempt from beyond the arc. It doesn't go but Hachimura gets the rebound and puts it back in.

After a tussle for the ball, the Lakers regain it and Russell finds himself alone. Bad news for the Nuggets as he drains a three. We're at 21-20 LA and we've got a Denver timeout

Schroder tries to dish it out to Russell beyond the arc, but it's knocked out of bounds. Denver will take over.

And we're back with Russell at the line. He makes both and it's back to a 2-point game with Denver leading 20-18.

We've got a time out for the moment and probably rightly so as the Lakers appear to be making a habit of turning over the ball. Meanwhile the Nuggets are stretching their lead and Jokic hasn't even gotten started. Ham will need to speak to his men.

At this point the teams are trading blows. Murray brings an end to it with a three followed by Brown who takes it to the whole for a layup. The Nuggets now have a six point lead.

Jokic is at the line after what looked like a soft foul from Vanderbilt. He makes his first and we've got a tied game at 14-14. His second is successful as well and the Nuggets have a 1 point lead.

Davis sinks both and we've got a 1 point Laker lead at 14-13

After almost turning over the ball again, Anthony Davis manages to keep it and is fouled. He's going to the line.

Ooooo....a turnover by the Lakers and Murray drives up court, but the Nuggets commit an offensive foul.

Vanderbilt sinks both and the Lakers are back up by 1 at 12-11.

We're at 10-11 in the Nuggets favor as Vanderbilt draws a foul. He will go to the line.

A foul called on LeBron James who appears to push Gordon. We're at 10-9

Crafty play from Davis to draw two defenders, leaving Reaves open beyond the arc. He duly drains his second 3 of the night.

It's Gordon again with an offensive rebound and an impressive dunk to take the Nuggets to 4.

A slick give and go between Jokic and Gordon for the Nuggets' first 2 points.

Russell misses his first but drains the second. We're at 6-0 in the 1st.

It's Rusesell who brings it up court and goes straight to the basket, drawing a foul in the process. He'll go to the line.

Austin Reaves gets the dish from James and lines up a three pointer which he sinks. It's 5-0.

And away we go! The Nuggets have won the tip off, but immediately lose the ball in a tussle at mid court. Vanderbilt gets in alone for a easy bucket and the Lakers have the first points of the game.

What time is it? Game Time!

We're almost ready for tip off in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. It's the Lakers vs the Nuggets!

LeBron and Co. are on the road in Denver and will be facing the No. 1 seed in the Conference and a team that's been perfect at home in these playoffs. A tough test to be sure. With that, LETS GO!

LeBron looks up for it

The Lakers icon and NBA all-time points leader knows nothing less than his best will be expected tonight.

It's almost Games Time!

We're now less than minutes away from tip off in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals and we can safely say, we're excited.

Tonight's game between the Lakers and the Nuggets promises to be an intense battle. On the one side, we've got a legend of the game and arguably the greatest player ever to play it - trigger warning for Michael Jordan fans.

On the other, we've got a guy who is steadily affirming his status as one of the greats of today's game. Indeed, the fact that he narrowly missed out on a second straight MVP award and has led his team to the Conference Finals - the actual MVP has since gone home - only further confirms the idea.

So, what to expect? It would be reasonable to believe that the Lakers aren't going to take their Game 1 loss lying down, especially knowing that to go 2-0 down would not be ideal to say the least. Yet, it's got to be said that the Nuggets are no joke. Quite frankly, they play like they don't have a sense of humor. That's to say the Lakers will be doing everything they can to get a win on the road, but everything might not be enough.

A little trivia for you

For those who appreciate statistical querks, here;s one worth noting. The question is, will we get the same results as three years ago?

The 'Joker' is preparing

After a dominant performance in Game 1 from the Nuggets star, the Lakers are going to have to be 'all hands on deck' if they hope to get out of the arena with a win.

The Lakers have to do better...

Definitely something that the Lakers are going to want to address tonight. The question obviously is whether or not they can...

Oooook that's a lot of money

At some point, someone is going to have to ask the NBA just who it is that they want to have access to their games? At this rate, it'll soon be a situation where only high net worth individuals can afford to watch games live. The rest of us will be sat at home on the sofa, or best case scenario a bar.

Memories...

It's hard not to feel some degree of nostalgia when considering the match up between these two teams, and in this case a degree of sadness. Kobe was one of a kind and will surely be missed.

As for the present, the Lakers have got their work cut out for them, but if nothing else they've got their own iconic star today as well in LeBron James. The question is can he bring the heat in the same manner that the "Mamba" did?

The big man can shoot

Having just missed out on his second consecutive MVP award, the 'Joker' continues to show us why he's easily one of the best in the league. Indeed, some might say 'the best.' Regardless, the Lakers will need to do everything they can - it's asking a lot, we know - to stop him from catching a rhythm.

All we can say is ' good luck LA.'

Something like this?

OK! It might be a little theatrical, but surely we're about to witness a clash that will be as physical and intense as what John Cena and Co. have shown us? Not convinced? Stay with us to find out!

It's a good question...

If one thing is clear, it's that the Lakers can compete with the best. Unfortunately, now that they're playing arguably the best team in the West, they're going to have to do more than just compete.

Welcome Welcome Welcome!

It's a big night in the NBA with Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. Having survived a late surge by LeBron and Co. in Game 1, Nikola Jokic and his men are in a nice spot as they'll be playing at home.

With that said, it's clear the Lakers are no longer the team we all watched struggle during the early stages of the regular season. Indeed, LA has given us what could be considered one of the better examples of a 'turn around' in quite a few years, regardless of what sport we are discussing.

Hard to believe this was a team that was at risk of not even making the playoffs for a second year running, and now here they are duking it out in the conference finals with the team that entered the post season at No. 1. Expect fireworks tonight and be sure to stay with us as we take you through the action.