The Denver Nuggets are facing a critical moment in their playoff run as they prepare for a potentially season-ending Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With their chance to extend the series and push for a Game 7 on the line, the team is counting on Jamal Murray, who is currently battling an illness.
Murray was labeled as questionable on the injury report, and head coach David Adelman confirmed that he is “definitely sick.” Despite this, he remains available to play, although his ability to perform at full strength is uncertain, which raises concerns for the Nuggets, particularly in such a high-stakes game.
In the previous outing, a 5-point loss in Game 5, Murray contributed 28 points. While his shooting was not particularly efficient, he was one of the few players providing vital support to superstar Nikola Jokić, who registered an impressive 44 points, along with 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Murray’s importance to the Nuggets cannot be overstated—he is their second key player, and his potential lack of optimal performance could further expose the team’s depth issues as they fight for survival.
Throughout the series, Murray’s fluctuations in performance have been noticeable. In the two games Denver has secured victories, he has averaged 24 points with a shooting percentage of 42%. However, in the three losses, this average dipped to 19.6 points, and his efficiency has not been as high, with a shooting percentage of 38.2%. This inconsistency in scoring reflects a broader challenge faced by the Nuggets, including struggles from other players like Jokić.
Alongside Murray, the Nuggets need better contributions from players such as Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun. In last game’s performance, Porter and Braun combined for just 10 points on a dismal 4 of 19 shooting. Porter is currently affected by a shoulder injury, which has compromised his shooting effectiveness. Braun, while having shown noticeable progress this season with regular contributions averaging nearly 16 points, has seen his playoff scoring drop to 11.3 points per game and his shooting percentage plummet to 43%.
If Murray is not at his best, it will heighten the pressure on Braun, Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon to elevate their performance to assist Jokić and keep the Nuggets’ playoff hopes alive. The team enters this game as a five-point underdog at home, with the odds remaining unchanged since Murray was confirmed to be active.
This game is a testament to the resilience and determination typical of playoff basketball, and despite the challenges, there remains hope for the Nuggets to rally together and extend their season. The spirit of teamwork and collective effort from all players will be crucial if they aspire to force that decisive Game 7.