Nuggets’ Jamal Murray gets encouraging Game 7 injury update from Michael Malone

The Denver Nuggets will need all hands on deck come Sunday night when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 7, with a berth in the West Finals on the line. One player who is due for a big outing is guard Jamal Murray, who was the Nuggets’ playoff hero a year ago.

While he played well in round one against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Canadian has been inconsistent at times against the Wolves and suffered an elbow injury in the opening minutes of Game 6. However, according to Michael Malone, Murray looked “great” in practice Saturday, going through all drills, via Ohm Youngmisuk.

He also looked sharp from downtown, per Youngmisuk:

“Just watched Jamal Murray make 15-of-16 shots all around the 3-point line while an assistant was putting his arm up to challenge. When Michael Malone was asked how hungry Murray is to have a big Game 7, Malone said Murray looked very hungry, as if he hadn’t eaten in 2 days.”

Nuggets need Murray to ball out

Murray has only surpassed 20 points once in this series, putting up 24 in Game 3. The 45-point blowout loss in Game 6 was his worst performance, registering a mere 10 points.

Obviously Nikola Jokic is the main man for the Nuggets, but we know how important Murray is to the Nuggets’ success. That became very clear en route to the Larry O’Brien last season when he played at a historic level all postseason.

Following the blowout on Thursday, Murray made it clear his elbow didn’t feel great as the game went on, evident by his horrid shooting numbers:

“No, clearly not,” Murray said. “I put some numbing cream on it just so I didn’t have to feel it every time I extended, but everybody gets hurt. [Anthony Edwards] just got hurt. It was just the fact that I was shooting the ball, and that’s what I do most. I was never really able to get into my rhythm again. My team obviously needed me to, and I didn’t. I’m disappointed in myself for not being able to give them the right production that I know I can.”

“It’s all behind us now,” Murray said. “I’ve just got to get ready and be able to be better for Sunday.”

By the sounds of it, Murray is on the right track to be at 100% for Sunday’s series decider. The fact that he’s looking sharp in practice is a positive sign of what’s to come. The Nuggets know the big-time player he is and most importantly, Murray knows what he’s capable of.

And when it comes to Game 7, you know the Wolves will be bringing their best so the defending champs have to do the same. That includes both Jokic and Jamal Murray carrying the load offensively.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 PM ET at Ball Arena.