Denver Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray battled through illness to help keep his team’s playoff hopes alive in a must-win Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Despite being listed as questionable on Thursday’s injury report, Murray delivered when it mattered most.
The 28-year-old underwent treatment all day at Ball Arena, receiving IV fluids and wasn’t cleared to play until just 45 minutes before tipoff.
It didn’t seem to slow him down. Murray poured in 25 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists in Denver’s 119-107 victory that forced a decisive Game 7.
He shot an impressive 47.4% from the field and knocked down two crucial 3-pointers during his 42 minutes on the court.
This isn’t new territory for Murray. He’s built a reputation as one of the NBA’s best performers when facing elimination.
In those do-or-die games, Murray averages a staggering 27.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists while shooting 49% from the field, 41% from three, and 91% from the free-throw line.
No other player in NBA history has averaged 25/5/5 with 40%+ three-point shooting in elimination games.
The Nuggets are now 9-3 when Murray plays in playoff elimination games.
Murray Sets the Tone Early
Murray wasted no time making his presence felt, hitting an and-1 three-pointer for Denver’s first basket and scoring 11 points in the opening quarter.
The impact was undeniable. The Nuggets outscored Oklahoma City by a whopping 28 points with Murray on the court.
“He opened the game really good for us, and he set the tone,” said Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, who dominated with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. “When you play the game, I think you don’t think about what you have or whatever is the problem.”
Nuggets interim coach David Adelman admitted he was worried at first.
“I kind of was watching the first six minutes thinking, ‘Is this real? Can he do it?'” said Adelman, who celebrated his 44th birthday Thursday. “And I thought he had good energy and good juice.”
But Murray’s illness did take a toll.
“There was a couple of times where he really wanted to go back to get the ball,” Adelman explained. “He was so gassed, having a hard time breathing. But that’s Jamal Murray. It’s almost like the worse it is, the better off it’s going to be. And what a tough-minded, tough-minded man.”
Game 7 Showdown Awaits
Sunday’s Game 7 in Oklahoma City presents a massive challenge for both teams.
The Thunder have been remarkably consistent all season, losing consecutive games just twice – once in November and once in early April.
For Denver, this will be their seventh Game 7 since 2019 – the most of any NBA team during that span.
Jokic brings a solid 4-2 record in career Game 7s, including a dominant home win over the Los Angeles Clippers in this year’s first round.
Denver’s entire starting lineup has Game 7 experience, having played together in last year’s second-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Thunder, meanwhile, haven’t played in a Game 7 since 2020, when they lost 104-102 to the Houston Rockets in the Orlando bubble. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort remain from that team.
Can Murray summon another heroic performance? Or will the top-seeded Thunder protect home court and advance? Sunday’s showdown will provide the answers.
