PHOENIX — Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is expected to play in Game 6 of Denver’s second-round playoff series vs. the Suns in spite of a non-COVID illness, coach Michael Malone said Thursday evening.
Murray was listed as questionable Thursday on the NBA’s injury report. Malone said a bug has been going around the team, but Murray “should be good to go” on account of his toughness.
When asked if any other players are under the weather, Malone said, “I think it’s just Jamal right now.” But Murray has been dealing with the bug for a few days.
Murray accompanied the team to Footprint Center and was seen 90 minutes before tip. He was not present when the Nuggets opened the practice court to media near the end of shootaround Thursday morning, but several players had already filtered out of the gym.
Suns guard Chris Paul and center Deandre Ayton have been ruled out for Game 6. Paul is dealing with a left groin strain and hasn’t played since Game 2 of the series. Ayton sustained an injury during Game 5 and was ruled out mid-day, Phoenix coach Monty Williams said, confirming a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Murray is averaging 24.6 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the first five games of the series. He’s shooting 45.4% from the field and 31.3% from beyond the arc, but his 3-point percentage in the first two road games of the series was down to 22.2%.
The home team has won each of the first five contests going into Game 6 on Thursday (8 p.m. MT, ESPN) at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Nuggets lead the series 3-2 and have a chance to clinch a spot in the Western Conference Finals.
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