Murray, Jokic Lead Nuggets Past Thunder to Force Game 7

Battling illness, Jamal Murray delivered a gutsy 25-point performance to help the Denver Nuggets defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-107 on Thursday night, forcing a decisive Game 7. Listed as questionable earlier in the day, Murray sparked the Nuggets with a four-point play to open the game and drilled a key step-back three to begin the fourth quarter.

Nikola Jokic anchored Denver with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, while Christian Braun added a playoff career-high 23 points and 12 boards. However, it was second-year guard Julian Strawther who provided the unexpected spark. Scoring all 15 of his career playoff-high points in the second half, Strawther fueled a 10-0 third-quarter run with two threes and a layup that gave Denver control. His continued scoring in the fourth sealed the win in what had been a grueling and physical series.