The season will be on the line for the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night as they battle the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of their second-round NBA playoffs series.
The Nuggets enter Thursday's clash down 3-2 in the series following their 112-105 loss in Game 5 on Tuesday. It's do-or-die for Denver in this one, as another defeat will mark the end of their campaign and their title hopes this season.
The good news for the Nuggets is that they won't be at a disadvantage in Game 6. Earlier in the day, star guard Jamal Murray was suddenly added to the injury report due to an illness. The 28-year-old was listed as questionable to play, which put his availability for Thursday's contest in serious jeopardy.
Denver announced before tip-off, however, that Murray has been deemed healthy enough to suit up. The 6-foot-8 combo guard has been cleared to play and has officially been listed as available for this do-or-die clash.
Murray went off for the Nuggets in Game 5, dropping 28 points in the loss. Denver will need him to keep his foot on the gas on Thursday as he provides some much-needed support for Nikola Jokic on the offensive end.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27).
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27).
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Jokic has been a major force all series long, but it is clear that the three-time league MVP cannot do it on his own. Murray will need to be at his very best on Thursday--despite his illness--to give Denver a fighting chance and potentially force a winner-takes-all Game 7 on Sunday.