via Denver Post:
An hour before the sixth game, Jamal Murray’s head dangled. The Nuggets guard took a brief moment to breathe after missing a series of base jumpers during his warm-up routine. Then he gathered and moved to the pavilion and saw the next shot.
Murray was going through it. He skipped shooting on Thursday in Arizona and stayed in bed until 2 or 3 p.m., he estimated in retrospect. He ate his first meal of the day after he reached the center of the imprint. He had been feeling sick since Monday, but this was the worst he had ever had. Murray was listed as questionable in the Nuggets’ injury report prior to the shutout opportunity versus the Suns.
“This morning was crazy,” said Murray after his series win.
That he stayed on the court for four quarters Thursday night was a testament to an essential quality Murray and the Nuggets possess.
Whether it’s playing through a physical illness or calling fiery timeouts to the 23rd, all tournament teams have the ability to convince themselves they’re swimming against something – no matter how dominant or respected the team is.