Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Can't carry Denver in Game 6
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Jokic contributed 22 points (9-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 36 minutes during Thursday's 115-70 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Jokic delivered one of the best performances of his playoff career in Game 5 of the series, but he was unable to repeat those numbers in this woeful loss despite a respectable stat line. Jokic shot under 50 percent from the field for the third time in the series, and the Nuggets have lost every time that has happened. While the entire Nuggets offense must perform better in a do-or-die Game 7 contest on Sunday, Jokic will be the one who sets the tone early on.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Solid play not enough Thursday
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Gordon recorded 12 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-70 loss to Minnesota in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
The entire Nuggets offense struggled in this game, as shown by the fact the team shot 30.2 percent from the field and 19.4 percent from three-point range in this Game 6 loss. Despite the collective struggles, Gordon found a way to make an impact with his two-way play, and he was also one of just three Denver players who scored in double digits in this loss. Gordon has been arguably the second-best player for Denver in this series, and he'll aim to deliver another strong showing in Game 7 at home on Sunday.
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Nuggets' Jamal Murray: Shooting woes too much to overcome
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Murray recorded 10 points (4-18 FG, 2-7 3Pt), two rebounds, five assists and one steal over 33 minutes during Thursday's 115-70 loss to Minnesota in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Murray had been the catalyst of the Nuggets offense during this series, but he struggled massively Thursday, though the entire team looked overmatched from start to finish. There's no doubt the offense runs through Nikola Jokic, but it's also not a secret that Denver tends to struggle heavily when Murray is not at his best, and that has been the case in each of the three losses the Nuggets have suffered in this series. Murray will aim to bounce back in Sunday's Game 7, as the Nuggets need him at his best to avoid a monumental upset and keep their hopes of a title defense alive.
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Nuggets' Jamal Murray: Available for Thursday
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Murray (calf) is available for Thursday's Game 6 against Minnesota.
Murray has been playing through questionable tags for the duration of this series, so this news isn't a surprise. There's no word of any restrictions ahead of tipoff.
Murray is questionable for Thursday's Game 6 against the Timberwolves due to a left calf strain.
After losing the first two games of the series, the Nuggets have won three straight and are on the verge of advancing to the Western Conference Finals for a second consecutive campaign. Murray scored at least 20 points in all five games against the Lakers during the opening-round series but has reached that mark only once versus Minnesota.
Porter had six points (2-10 FG, 2-7 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 36 minutes during Tuesday's 112-97 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Porter managed just six points in the victory, continuing his recent offensive struggles. He has scored fewer than 10 points in three of the past four games, a very different story compared to how he opened the playoffs. Despite his poor shooting, the Nuggets now sit just one win away from another trip to the Western Conference Finals. Look for Porter to turn things around in the near future.
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Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Masterful performance in win
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Jokic supplied 40 points (15-22 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals over 41 minutes during Tuesday's 112-97 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Jokic took over during Game 5, leading the Nuggets to a third consecutive victory over the Timberwolves. Despite going up against Rudy Gobert, the Defensive Player of the Year, Jokic had no issues getting what he wanted around the basket and finished with a playoff-high 40 points. The series will head back to Minnesota, where Jokic and the Nuggets will look to wrap things up Thursday.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Logs 28 minutes in victory
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Braun closed Tuesday's 112-97 victory over Minnesota in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 28 minutes.
Braun continues to play meaningful minutes for the Nuggets, scoring double-digits for the second straight game. After failing to play more than 19 minutes during the first eight postseason games, he has now played 25 and 28 minutes respectively in each of the past two games. After reeling off three straight victories, the Nuggets now sit one win away from a trip to the Conference Finals.
Murray (calf) is available for Tuesday's Game 5 against Minnesota.
Questionable tags have been par for the course for Murray in this series, but he continues to push through his calf strain. He is not expected to have any restrictions Tuesday evening and has played at least 34 minutes in each contest of the Western Conference Semifinals thus far.
