DENVER — It’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder will try to close out its second-round series in the 2025 NBA Playoffs against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Ball Arena.
OKC leads the Western Conference semifinals 3-2 and would host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the West finals Sunday afternoon if the Thunder can close out the Nuggets in Game 6.
Here what you need to know about Game 6 of the Thunder-Nuggets series:
Thunder vs Nuggets live score updates in Game 6 of NBA Playoffs
Denver’s biggest concern entering a must-win Game 6 was the health of Jamal Murray.
The 28-year-old guard was a late addition to the injury report Thursday. He was listed as questionable due to an illness.
But Murray ultimately suited up, and he didn’t waste any time getting into a rhythm. He put Denver on the scoreboard at the 10:41 mark by drilling an and-one 3-pointer, and he sank the ensuing free throw.
Murray recorded 11 points and two assists in the first quarter to help the Nuggets claim early control. Lu Dort, Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams scored five points apiece for the Thunder.
—Justin Martinez, Staff writer
OKC is late to a lot of stuff on defense right now. Trying to recover, and Denver is just using ball fakes to score.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (illness) is available for Game 6 Thursday night against the Thunder.
Over the course of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s second-round series, Mark Daigneault has let the game tell him who to substitute.Early on it was Jaylin Williams, whose sturdy frame has collided with Nikola Jokic. In Game 4, it was Cason Wallace, who outplayed Lu Dort. In Game 5, Daigneault turned back to Dort. But how has he decided who he’ll turn to?“I trust all those guys,” Daigneault said. “I want all them to touch the floor and give them all an opportunity to impact the game because I’ve seen them impact so many games so well. You don’t wanna restrict their ability to do that.”
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was a surprise addition to the injury list Thursday, listed as questionable with an illness.
“I found out this morning,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said in his pregame availability before Game 6. “I’m not a doctor … But he is definitely sick. Questionable up until the tip.”
Denver is already thin as it is. Adelman has stuck with a seven-man rotation. If Murray can’t go, Russell Westbrook is the obvious candidate to slide into the starting lineup.
Happy birthday to Adelman, by the way. He turned 44 on Thursday.
—Joe Mussatto, Columnist
The OKC Thunder is looking to close out its second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
OKC holds a 3-2 lead entering Game 6 at 7:30 p.m. CT Thursday in Denver. And as the Nuggets fight to keep their season alive, they might be missing a key contributor in Jamal Murray.
The 28-year-old guard is now listed as questionable for Thursday’s contest due to an illness. It’s the first time he has appeared on the injury report this series.
—Justin Martinez, Staff writer
Games: 76Points: 32.7 per gameRebounds: 5.0 per gameAssists: 6.4 per gameSteals: 1.7 per gameBlocks: 1.0 per gameField-goal shooting: 51.9%3-point shooting: 37.5%Free-throw shooting: 89.8%Date: Thursday, May 15Time: 7:30 p.m. CTWhere: Ball Arena in Denver
The OKC vs Denver game starts at 7:30 p.m. CT Thursday from Ball Arena in Denver.
Where to watch Thunder vs Nuggets tonight in NBA Playoffs?TV: ESPNHow to watch online: Fubo (free trial)Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM
The Thunder vs Nuggets game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Thunder vs. Nuggets playoff schedule
All times are Central Time (CT)
Thunder vs. Nuggets betting odds
Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday, May 15
Odds: Thunder by 4.5
Over/under: 216.5
Moneyline: OKC -200 | Denver +165
Thunder vs. Nuggets prediction, picks
Justin Martinez: Denver 117, OKC 114
Denver has failed to close out consecutive close games, but I expect its championship experience to shine at home in Game 6 with its season on the line. Nikola Jokic is entering the contest with momentum after struggling earlier in the series. And while a trio of fourth-quarter 3-pointers by Lu Dort helped OKC escape with a Game 5 home win, the team is only shooting 26.2% from deep on the road these playoffs. This series feels like it’s destined to go the distance. I’m picking Denver to win and send it back to Oklahoma City for a Game 7.
Thunder vs. Nuggets injury updates
Thunder: Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is out.
Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II (right Achilles tendon repair) is out. Jamal Murray (illness) is questionable. Hunter Tyson (right ankle sprain) is out.
Thunder vs. Nuggets highlights in Game 6 of Western Conference semifinals
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