NBA Rumors: Jamal Murray Among Nuggets Dealing with Illness; Shootaround Cut Short

The Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray has been cleared to play against the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 after being listed as "questionable" with a non-COVID illness for Thursday night, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Earlier on Thursday, ESPN reported that multiple Nuggets including Murray and head coach Michael Malone were dealing with a bug.

"The team is hopeful that he's going to play tonight, but it's going to be a wait-and-see approach to see how he's feeling later tonight," ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk said on SportsCenter. "There's a bug that's going through the Denver Nuggets. They had shootaround this morning and they cut it short after 15 minutes. Michael Malone is among the Nuggets that are not feeling well or at least feeling under the weather recently."

Murray has averaged 18.5 points, five rebounds and seven assists in five games against the Suns.

A "lot of people" in the Denver organization have been dealing with illness recently, according to DNVR Sports' Harrison Wind.

The news of illness cutting this morning's shootaround short is concerning for a team that has the potential to eliminate the Suns. The Nuggets lead the series 3-2 and have a shot at clinching a spot in the conference finals on Thursday. A loss will send the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 in Denver.

Malone's voice sounded hoarse in postgame interviews following the Nuggets' 118-102 Game 5 win, ESPN noted.

The Suns will also be short-handed as they fight to stave off elimination. Chris Paul, who suffered a groin injury in Game 2, and Deandre Ayton, who suffered a rib contusion in Game 5 but remained in the game to put up 14 points and nine rebounds, have both been ruled out for Game 6.

The Nuggets take the court at 10 p.m. ET.