Jamal Murray Lifts Nuggets 119-107 Over Thunder in Game 6/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Despite battling illness, Jamal Murray scored 25 points to help the Denver Nuggets defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-107 and force a Game 7. Nikola Jokic led the team with 29 points, and Julian Strawther delivered a breakout second-half performance. Game 7 is set for Sunday in Oklahoma City.
Jamal Murray Powers Nuggets to Game 7: Quick Looks
- Jamal Murray scored 25 points despite being ill, refusing to sit out the do-or-die Game 6.
- Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-107, tying the series 3-3.
- Nikola Jokic led Denver with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists.
- Julian Strawther scored a career playoff-high 15 points, all in the second half.
- Christian Braun added a playoff-best 23 points off the bench for Denver.
- Strawther sparked a 10-0 third-quarter run, and even lost a dental crown during the game.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 for OKC, but lacked scoring support from his teammates.
- Thunder’s Jalen Williams struggled, finishing with just six points on 3-of-16 shooting.
- Aaron Gordon tweaked his hamstring late, but says he’ll be ready for Game 7.
- Game 7 is Sunday in Oklahoma City, with Minnesota awaiting the winner in the West Finals.
Jamal Murray Lifts Nuggets 119-107 Over Thunder in Game 6
Deep Look
With their season on the line, the Denver Nuggets turned to a sick but determined Jamal Murray, who rose to the moment Thursday night. Battling illness for more than 24 hours, Murray gutted out 25 points and led the defending champions to a 119-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, forcing a Game 7 in this intense Western Conference Semifinal.
Murray set the tone early, opening the game with a four-point play and later drilling a crucial step-back three to start the fourth quarter, extending Denver’s lead into double digits. He brushed aside any talk of missing the game: “Absolutely not,” he said when asked if he considered sitting out.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a game-high 32 points, wasn’t surprised by Murray’s appearance: “Yeah, I knew he was going to play, obviously in a do-or-die situation for them.”
Jokic, Strawther and Braun Step Up
Nikola Jokic continued his dominant postseason, posting 29 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, doing a bit of everything to steady Denver throughout the night. Meanwhile, Christian Braun added a surprise punch off the bench with a career playoff-high 23 points.
But perhaps the night’s biggest X-factor was second-year guard Julian Strawther, who exploded in the second half for 15 points, including two timely threes and a layup during a pivotal 10-0 run in the third quarter. He even lost a dental crown mid-game — which had to be retrieved by a ballboy — but kept playing with intensity.
“Julian played huge for us,” said forward Aaron Gordon, who called Strawther’s impact “something they didn’t game-plan for.”
Thunder Miss Chance to Close
The Thunder entered Game 6 with a chance to secure their first trip to the Western Conference Finals since 2016, but faltered under pressure. While Gilgeous-Alexander did his part, the rest of the roster came up short. Rising star Jalen Williams struggled mightily, shooting just 3-of-16 from the field and finishing with six points.
“We’ve only lost back-to-back games twice this year,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault reminded reporters. “We’ve always stood back up after getting knocked down — we need to do that again Sunday.”
Rest and Recovery
The Nuggets, who have played every other day since April 29, will finally get a two-day break before Game 7. Interim coach David Adelman said the locker room “looked more excited about having tomorrow off than even Game 7.”
Aaron Gordon, who appeared to tweak his hamstring late in the game, assured fans he’ll be ready to go. Adelman underscored Gordon’s importance, calling him “the reason why we’ve won games and series and have a banner hanging up.”
Next Stop: Game 7
Game 7 will be held Sunday in Oklahoma City, with the winner earning a spot in the Western Conference Finals to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, who advanced earlier this week after defeating the Golden State Warriors in five games.
This matchup marks a critical test for both franchises: Denver seeks to defend its title, while the young Thunder look to reclaim their place among the NBA’s elite.
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