May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) on the bench in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nuggets Coach Addresses Potential Jamal Murray Absence vs Thunder

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI | By Grant Mona | Last updated May 15, 2025 7:57 PM ET

It has been a rollercoaster of a series for Jamal Murray heading into a crucial Game 6 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. With the series at 3-2 in favor of the Thunder, the Nuggets are looking for a vintage performance by their championship core to force a Game 7.

Murray and the Nuggets were on the opposite end of the situation in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. With Denver up 3-2 in that series, the Clippers forced a Game 7 in which Denver ended up winning convincingly.

Jamal Murray in elimination games:

27.8 PPG
5.0 RPG
5.2 APG
49/41/91%

The only player in NBA history to average 25/5/5 on 40+ 3P% in elimination games. pic.twitter.com/XBuJ3dX2sL
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 15, 2025

Murray was downgraded to questionable hours before Game 6 in a shocking reveal by the Denver Nuggets, which then led to head coach David Adelman addressing the media pregame.

"We found out this morning. I'm not a doctor. I have seen outbreak, but he is definitely sick and questionable up to the tip," Adelman said.

He continued, "we talked about, before anyone asks, who will start in his place...so good options, but obviously hope Jamal plays."

David Adelman on Jamal Murray: “He is definitely sick and questionable.” pic.twitter.com/8SePGwkwAj
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) May 15, 2025

Even though it has been an up-and-down series for Murray, the potential of the two-man game with him and Nikola Jokic would make his availability devastating for the Nuggets, regardless if they are at home or not.

Murray posted 28 points in 42 minutes against the Thunder in a Game 5 loss, but only scored 17 points in 41 minutes in the loss prior. He is averaging 21.4 points per game on only 39.5% from the field in the Conference Semifinals.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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