The Denver Nuggets are on the brink of elimination as they prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. With their season hanging in the balance, the Nuggets must find a way to extend the series and force a decisive Game 7. A key factor in their efforts will be the performance of Jamal Murray, who is battling an illness but has been declared available to play.
Jamal Murray was listed as questionable on Thursday's injury report, with Denver coach David Adelman confirming during his pregame availability that Murray is indeed sick. Despite this setback, Murray will take the court, although his level of play remains uncertain. A less-than-100% Murray poses a significant challenge for the Nuggets, especially with their season on the line.
In the Nuggets' recent Game 5 loss, Murray scored 28 points, but his shooting efficiency was lacking. He was the only player aside from Nikola Jokić who provided substantial support, as Jokić delivered an impressive 44 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. Murray's importance to the team cannot be overstated; he is undeniably the Nuggets' second most vital player. When he struggles, it exacerbates the depth issues that the Nuggets are facing.
This series has seen Murray experience fluctuations in performance. In the two games the Nuggets have won, he averaged 24 points with a shooting percentage of 42%. However, in the three losses, his production dropped to 19.6 points on just 38.2% shooting from the field. While Murray has faced challenges in scoring efficiently, he is not alone; several other Nuggets players, including Jokić, have also struggled.
For the Nuggets to have a chance at forcing a Game 7, they need Murray on the floor contributing points, regardless of his efficiency. Currently, the Nuggets are listed as five-point underdogs at home on FanDuel, and the betting line has remained stable since Murray was confirmed to be active. Beyond Murray, the Nuggets also require significant contributions from players like Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun.
Porter Jr. is dealing with a shoulder injury that has hampered his shooting, while Braun, despite his impressive development this season, is likely being stretched in his starting role. After the Nuggets let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go last summer, Braun emerged as the best internal replacement. He made notable progress during the regular season, averaging nearly 16 points. However, in the playoffs, his scoring has dipped to 11.3 points, and his shooting efficiency has dropped dramatically to 43%, significantly below the 58% he averaged during the regular season.
The outcome of Game 6 against the Thunder is critical for the Denver Nuggets, and Jamal Murray’s health will play a pivotal role in their chances. With both Murray’s scoring ability and the overall team performance under scrutiny, the Nuggets must rally together for a shot at survival in the playoffs. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the game unfolds.
