The Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets will face off in a do-or-die Game 7 in the Western Conference Semifinals at Paycom Center on Sunday. The teams have released their injury reports for this pivotal clash, and the Nuggets certainly aren’t going into it in great shape.
“Probable: Jamal Murray (Illness), Russell Westbrook (Right Hand Sprain)
Questionable: Aaron Gordon (Left Hamstring Strain), Hunter Tyson (Right Ankle Sprain)
Out: DaRon Holmes II (Right Achilles Tendon Repair)”
Aaron Gordon officially being questionable is the most notable update here. Gordon strained his hamstring in the closing stages of the 119-107 win in Game 6. There were concerns that he wouldn’t be able to play in Game 7, but Nuggets head coach David Adelman stated in his press conference that there is a chance he will.
“Yes, just went through the walkthrough,” Adelman said. “Game-time decision, obviously, but he fully was part of it. The game plan. Both sides of the ball. So, [if] Aaron can play, he will play. Just like [Michael Porter Jr.] has throughout these playoffs.
“This is a different kind of situation,” Adelman continued. “So, obviously questionable but it’s nice having the full day yesterday, day today, and obviously the morning tomorrow. So, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
Adelman added that if the Nuggets’ medical staff clears Gordon, he will start Game 7. The 29-year-old has averaged 14.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in this series against the Thunder.
Gordon hit the game-winner in Game 1, and it would be a huge boost if he does play. You do fear, though, that he’s going to be too compromised to make much of a positive impact, but time will tell.
As for the other big names in the Nuggets’ injury report, Jamal Murray played through that illness in Game 6. Murray played well despite being hampered, finishing with 25 points (9-19 FG), eight rebounds, seven assists, and one block. The Canadian should be able to play on Sunday, but it will be interesting to see if he can duplicate that Game 6 performance.
Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, appears to have sprained his right hand in Game 6 or at some point after it. Westbrook had eight points (3-8 FG), three rebounds, and one block in that contest. The former MVP hasn’t been at his best in this series, but depending on Gordon’s status, the Nuggets will likely need him out there on the court for extended stretches in Game 7.
While the Nuggets are dealing with one too many issues coming into this game, the Thunder are not. Rookie Nikola Topic (knee surgery), who hasn’t played all season due to a torn ACL, is out, and is the only player on their injury report.
With the Thunder being in much better shape health-wise and with Game 7 being in Oklahoma City, you have to make them the favorites to advance to the Western Conference Finals. It’s going to take an incredible effort from the likes of Nikola Jokic to get the Nuggets across the finish line.
