It’s not just the high-flying dunks or the clutch three-pointers that capture the hearts of basketball aficionados—it’s also the unscripted moments of pure, unadulterated joy and surprise. One such moment came courtesy of Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, whose half-court buzzer-beater gave rise to an iconic interaction with TNT announcer Kevin Harlan.
As the clock wound down to halftime during Game 4 of the second-round matchup, Murray intercepted a Timberwolves pass and launched a Hail Mary from beyond half-court. The ball sailed through the air, and found its home in the net as the buzzer echoed through the arena. The crowd erupted, but it was Jamal Murray’s stone-cold stare down with Harlan, in the midst of calling the shot, that became the snapshot of the night.
JAMAL MURRAY FROM BEYOND HALFCOURT.
KEVIN HARLAN IS HYPED.
Nuggets lead at halftime on TNT pic.twitter.com/PKjD1bS9CG
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2024
NBA Twitter went ablaze, with fans and pundits alike sharing the image of Murray and Harlan locked in a moment of mutual acknowledgment. It was as if time stood still, the player and the announcer sharing a silent conversation understood by all who love the game. Harlan’s call, reverberated across the internet, as clips of the shot and the subsequent stare circulated with fervor.
Right in front of Kevin Harlan as he called it. pic.twitter.com/lWFc6sfQgx
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 13, 2024
This is up there with the Steph/Mike Breen “Bang! Bang!!!!!” moment in OKC.
Jamal Murray was perfect.
Kevin Harlan was legendary.
The TNT director made a perfect cut to Harlan and Murray.
And the cameraman sensed the moment and captured it for the world.
Great teamwork. pic.twitter.com/YvYzbKJQRX
— NBABeau (@NBABeau) May 13, 2024
I love Kevin Harlan pic.twitter.com/ylprFwsjBQ
— dylan (@dylangonzalez21) May 13, 2024
This pic of Kevin Harlan and Jamal Murray pic.twitter.com/QvU7ArEDGd
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 13, 2024
Jamal Murray looking at Kevin Harlan after hitting the buzzer beater pic.twitter.com/UU68dOsz8W
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 13, 2024
Wasn’t expecting Jamal Murray and Kevin Harlan to drop the hardest picture of 2024 but here we are pic.twitter.com/DFVdpkuYid
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) May 13, 2024
