The Denver Nuggets are oat home on Thursday night as they try to keep their season alive in Game 6 of their second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Denver enters Thursday’s contest in a must-win situation after they blew a lead in the fourth quarter of Game 5 despite a historic performance from their superstar center Nikola Jokic.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Jamal Murray (27)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Jamal Murray (27)
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
With the loss in Game 5, the Nuggets now trail the Thunder 3-2 in the series and they will look to force Game 7 at home on Thursday while also keeping their championship hopes alive.
Of course, news broke on Thursday afternoon that Nuggets star point guard Jamal Murray has been battling an illness, leading to the Nuggets listing him as questionable for Game 5.
Despite his illness, the Nuggets received positive news regarding Murray as they announced that he is available for Thursday’s win-or-go-home game.
This is massive news for the Nuggets since Murray has been a key factor in their success thus far, especially in their second-round series against the Thunder.
While Murray will play, the Nuggets nor interim head coach David Adelman have announced if he will be on a minutes restriction.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27)
Of course, Murray also played through an illness in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers and he is expected to play a major role once again on Thursday.
If he does end up on a minutes restriction, expect Russell Westbrook to have a major role off the bench.
Fans can catch Thursday’s Game 6 matchup between the Thunder and Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.