Nuggets beat Lakers in Game 2 Western Conference Finals, photos

Jamal Murray sized up The King and decided he wasn’t afraid of the crown.

Already on a torrid run of devastating daggers, Murray hoisted one more in LeBron James’ face, burying a 30-foot 3-pointer to whip Ball Arena into a chaotic frenzy Thursday night. Murray’s scintillating 23-point fourth quarter built the Nuggets a double-digit lead, and it took everything they had not to squander it amid egregious turnovers.

The Nuggets, though, owe no apologies. Their 108-103 win at Ball Arena staked them to a 2-0 series lead in this Western Conference Finals before the series flips to Los Angeles for Saturday’s Game 3.

“This was a war,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after the game.

Click here to read more about tonight’s game.