Jamal Murray had a gutsy performance Thursday with the Denver Nuggets' season on the line, battling through an illness to lead his club to a 119-107 Game 6 win over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Murray tallied 25 points, eight boards, and seven assists in a game-high 42 minutes after being listed as questionable earlier in the morning.
"Jamal is just a different cat," Nuggets wing Julian Strawther told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "He's wired differently. We know he's one of the toughest guys in the league."
Murray had treatment around the clock Thursday, including receiving intravenous fluids. The Nuggets guard said he had difficulty breathing at times during the contest.
Murray set the tone early with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the opening quarter. The Canadian later sparked a key 10-2 scoring run to end the third frame, converting a transition layup off a turnover and assisting on a trio of baskets from Strawther.
Murray led all players with a plus-28 rating.
"Once the game starts, the team needs you and the adrenaline kicks in," Murray said. "You see a couple of shots going in and you just suck it up and play through it."
The series shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 7, with the winner booking a spot in the West final against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Denver last reached the conference finals two years ago during their inaugural title run, while the Thunder are seeking their first appearance in the third round since 2016.
