Buzzer-beater from Mike Conley misses, Utah Jazz lose Game 7 against Denver Nuggets 80-78

By Ryan McDonald@ryanwmcdonald Sep 1, 2020, 6:18pm MDT

Utah Jazz’s Mike Conley (10) attempts a shot in the final seconds of the second half of an NBA first round playoff basketball game as Royce O’Neale (23), Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris, left, Jamal Murray, bottom front and Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, right rear, look on, Tuesday, Sept. 1,2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

SALT LAKE CITY — Game 7 between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets went down to the final second, as a Mike Conley buzzer-beater missed and the Nuggets won 80-78 to take the series and end the Jazz’s season. Here are three keys from the game.

With 17.4 seconds left, the Jazz had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Donovan Mitchell turned the ball over. Torrey Craig missed a layup and Rudy Gobert got the rebound and Mike Conley had a look from 3 for the win, but it missed.
After trailing by 19 in the third quarter, Utah rallied back behind Mitchell and Gobert and even took the lead in the fourth quarter but faltered a bit down the stretch.
While the game came down to the last second, the Jazz had dug themselves a hole in the first half with a poor effort on both ends of the floor. The Nuggets were also excellent defensively as Utah only had 36 points at halftime and trailed by 14.

Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) and Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, center rear, greet each other after their NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Nuggets won 80-78. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, center left, reaches down to console Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45), on floor, after the Nuggets 80-78 win during an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Joe Ingles (2) and Donovan Mitchell, bottom right, sit on the floor after their 80-78 loss to the Denver Nuggets during an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) works to advance the ball up court against Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Mike Conley, middle center, Royce O’Neale, bottom center, Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, center rear, and Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, right, watch as Conley’s shot rims out in the closing seconds of their NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) and Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, right, talk after their NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Nuggets won 80-78. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Mike Conley (10) attempts a shot in the final seconds of the second half of an NBA first round playoff basketball game as Royce O’Neale (23), Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris, left, Jamal Murray, bottom front and Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, right rear, look on, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale (23) walks past as Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, right, walks onto the court during a time out in the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale (23) goes up for a shot between Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, left, Jerami Grant (9) and Nikola Jokic, center right, as the Jazz’ Rudy Gobert (27) looks on during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) looks for an opening against the defense of Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) and Jamal Murray (27) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) reaches up after being hit in the face during play against the Denver Nuggets during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale (23) defends against a pass by Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale (23) and Donovan Mitchell, left rear, call for a time out late during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game as Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) and Gary Harris (14) defend, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Torrey Craig (3) competes for control of the ball against Utah Jazz’s Georges Niang, center, and Juwan Morgan (16) during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson (00) goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets’ Torrey Craig (3) defends during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone instructs his team during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Mason Plumlee, left, looks on as Torrey Craig, center, comes down with a rebound in front o Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) goes up for a shot as Utah Jazz’s Juwan Morgan (16) defends during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) makes a pass through traffic as Utah Jazz’s Juwan Morgan (16), right, defends during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) gestures during play against the Utah Jazz during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) gestures during play against the Utah Jazz as Joe Ingles (2) walks away during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Juwan Morgan, left, and Joe Ingles (2) defend as Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) makes a pass during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) takes a shot as Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) and Joe Ingles, right, defend during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale, left, and Jordan Clarkson, right, defend against a shot attempt by Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) lays on the court after a collision with Utah Jazz’s Joe Ingles (2) during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) works against Utah Jazz’s Joe Ingles (2) during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) works against Utah Jazz’s Joe Ingles (2) during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson (00) works to make a pass as Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) defends during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) defends against a pass by Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell, right, during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Monte Morris (11) attempts a shot during the first half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Mike Conley (10) makes a pass during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) goes up for a shot as Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone instructs his team during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder watches play during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder instructs his team during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Monte Morris (11) makes a pass during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder instructs his team during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, left, and Denver Nuggets’ Mason Plumlee (7) compete for control of the ball during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) goes up for a shot over the Denver Nuggets defense during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
A depiction of Breonna Taylor is seen on the shoes of Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr., left, and Mason Plumlee (7) combine to strip the ball away from Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson (00) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) works against Denver Nuggets’ Torrey Craig (3) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) grabs a rebound over Denver Nuggets’ Mason Plumlee (7) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Mike Conley (10) goes up for a shot between the defense of Denver Nuggets’ Torrey Craig (3), Mason Plumlee (7) and Michael Porter Jr. (1) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) and Mason Plumlee (7) defend during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) makes a pass as Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27), Joe Ingles center rear, and Royce O’Neale (23) defend during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Mike Conley (10) advances the ball up court against the Denver Nuggets during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) looks on as Rudy Gobert (27) goes up for a contested shot by Denver Nuggets’ Torrey Craig (3) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) looks on during the play. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale (23) celebrates with Rudy Gobert, bottom left, as Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) gestures following the foul call against his team after Gobert sunk a basket during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) keeps his arms in position as Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) walks past after Gobert scored a basket and drew a foul on the play during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) grabs a rebound in front of Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) attempts a shot over Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) as Jamal Murray, right, watches during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) defends as Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) advances the ball down court during the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone walks onto the court during a time out in the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale (23) walks past as Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, right, walks onto the court during a time out in the second half an NBA first round playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press