In Denver, Jamal Murray battled through illness to score 25 points, leading the Nuggets to a 119-107 victory over the Thunder on Thursday night. This win pushes the series back to Oklahoma City for a crucial Game 7.
Despite being under the weather since Wednesday, Murray was able to make a significant impact in the game.
He ignited the Nuggets early in the fourth quarter with a step-back three-pointer, which marked the first time Denver had a double-digit lead.
Nikola Jokic topped the Nuggets’ stats with 29 points, adding 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Christian Brown contributed with a playoff-best 23 points, along with 12 rebounds.
Another highlight for Denver was Julian Strawther, a second-year reserve, who scored a career-high 15 points in the second half, showcasing his skills during a pivotal moment.
Strawther played a key role in a 10-0 run in the third quarter that helped establish a comfortable lead for Denver, effectively responding to the physical nature of the series.
Game 7 is set for Sunday, where the winner will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, who previously eliminated the Golden State Warriors in five games.
However, a setback for Denver came when Aaron Gordon strained his left hamstring late in the game, impacting the final moments.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout for the Thunder, scoring 32 points, including 18 after halftime, despite having to play with four fouls starting from the second quarter.
Yet, he did not receive adequate support from his teammates, which hindered their chances of reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, when they fell to the Warriors in seven games.
Chet Holmgren added a respectable 19 points, but all-star Jalen Williams struggled, managing just six points on 16 attempts.
A buzzer-beating three-pointer from Lu Dort gave the Thunder a 61-58 halftime lead, but the Nuggets charged back, overcoming a 12-point deficit with a strong finish to the first half.
Having previously won the championship two years ago, the Nuggets will finally enjoy a brief break after a punishing schedule over the past few weeks, playing every other day since April 29.
The Thunder have only faced two losses in a row this season, occurring once in November and again in early April.
