Incredible last-second drama in NBA Conference Finals as LA Lakers star Anthony Davis channels the spirit of Kobe Bryant with three-point buzzer-beater to hand LeBron and Co a 105-103 victory over Denver Nuggets
- Los Angeles Lakers were wearing black tribute jerseys for Kobe Bryant
- But Bryant’s trademark buzzer-beater was repeated by star Anthony Davis
- Davis scored 31 points as they took a 2-0 Western Conference final series lead
- LeBron James also had 26 points and 11 rebounds against Denver Nuggets
Anthony Davis landed a three-pointer on the buzzer to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a thrilling 105-103 win and a 2-0 Western Conference final series lead over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
Davis’s channeled the inner spirit of former Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who seven regular-season buzzer-beaters are tied for the most ever.
The Lakers were wearing special ‘mamba’ black tribute jerseys following Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in January, but his memory appeared to inspire his former side to a dramatic victory.
Anthony Davis landed a three-pointer on the buzzer as the LA Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets
Davis ended with 31 points, scoring their last 10 in the dramatic Western Conference victory
Davis – who confirmed that he yelled ‘Kobe!’ after drilling the game-winning shot – ended with 31 points, scoring his team’s last 10 in contributing a 22-point second half as the Lakers defied yet another Denver comeback.
LeBron James had 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, while Danny Green had 11 points.
The Nuggets trailed by as many as 16 points before Nikola Jokic took control by scoring 11 straight Denver points, including a basket that put his side up 103-102 with 20 seconds left.
In a frantic finish, LA’s Alex Caruso missed a three-pointer, before a shot from Green was blocked out of bounds with 2.1 seconds left.
The Lakers were wearing special ‘mamba’ black tribute jerseys for late Lakers star Kobe Bryant
Rajon Rondo then found Davis near the sideline, and the All-Star forward found the basket from long-range.
‘Special moment for a special player. Happy to be a part of it,’ said James.
Jokic had 30 points and nine assists for the Nuggets while Jamal Murray had 25 points.
Game three is on Tuesday night.